The film "Papa" (2004) is based on Aleksandr Galych's play "Matrosskaya Tishina" written in 1946. Aleksandr Galich, who had achieved a cult status in the Soviet Union as a dissident-poet, song-writer and singer was forced to leave the country in 1974 and died in exile, in Paris. He never lived to see his play on the stage because it was banned after its dress rehearsal before the premiere in 1956. The commission of Party bureaucrats that saw the play before its release decided that it was not a good idea to make a main character an uneducated Jewish single father with alcoholic problems. "Matrosskaya Tishina" was forbidden and forgotten for about 30 years.
Vladimir Mashkov, the writer/director/producer/star of the film, is one of the brightest and most popular modern Russian actors. He also successfully works behind the camera. Mashkov played the role of Abraham Schwartz on the stage when the play was finally released in the 90s, and to adapt "Matrosskaya Tishina to the screen was his longtime dream: "In general I performed this role over 400 times in different countries of the world: in Japan, Germany, France
I believe that a lot was written and said about maternal love. Unfortunately paternal love has not yet been praised enough. And then I realized that I had to make the movie "Daddy".
The film honestly depicts the complicated father-son relationship. Abraham Schwartz is not easy to like or respect but he loves his son dearly and dreams of his success as a violinist at the Moscow Conservatory. "Papa" realistically presents details of the Soviet realities from the 1930s to the middle of 1940s in Moscow and a small provincial town, as well as the tragic fate of many Soviet citizens including the victims of Holocaust during the long four years of WWII (Great Patriot War). The film which is very personal for its creator who plays against the type and practically lives in the role of an aging Jewish single father is moving, compelling, and treats us with wonderful violin music which is performed by one of the best musicians of our time, Vladimir Spivakov, the celebrated violinist and conductor. "Papa" deserves to be seen by many viewers not only in Russia but around the world.
