Author of quotes: Grigory Naumovich Chukhrai

For my first independent film "Forty-first" I was put on trial. For "The Ballad of a Soldier" they were expelled from the party, for "Clear Sky" they tried to put me in jail, for "The Swamp" they almost dispersed the management of the studio, and they wanted to deprive me of the right to a profession. I didn’t complain to anyone, I didn’t ask anyone for help. I fought. And it so happened that many people came to my aid. My films have received dozens of prestigious prizes at international festivals, and for The Ballad of a Soldier I received the Lenin Prize. But that's not what makes me happy today. I am glad that they were filmed 30-40 years ago and still do not leave the screens. Hundreds of other films have long since died, but mine still look and excite the viewer.