Have just finished viewing a demo-dvd of the Russian (Kazakhstan) film, "A GIFT TO STALIN".  It's set to be released in July.

The movie stars a 9 year old Jewish boy (Dalen Shintemirov).   This is a moving and tender film, although the attrocities are great that the boy has faced.  He is always dreaming of rescuing his parents, and throughout the film you can't help but feel such sadness for this child that clings onto what seems like a hopeless and imaginative dream.

He decides the best thing he can do is prepare a gift for Joseph Stalin.  Along with his friend Kasym, they do just that.

It's especially amazing at the beginning of the movie when we realize that Sashka is one of the only survivors in all the rubble after the bombing.  He's such a cute and gentle child, and his determination  to feel important and wanted will really get to you.

Unfortunately, the style of the film is way too jumpy.  It doesn't focus on one place long enough to allow the next scene to develop.  Sometimes you wonder what's going on, especially in the minor scenes in which Sashka isn't present.

It's a good film, but not a great one.  And there are some very vivid scenes that will stay with the viewer for a period of time, without doubt.

They were still looking for a North American company to pick it up for distribution, as of Friday (9 days into the festival). 

It's difficult to say if it will get much of a release outside of the Slavik nations, but nothing is impossible.

There really needs to be some sort of pay-per-view site on the internet, (even if it includes some technological advancement that doesn't allow it to be recorded..... if that's possible), and allow these lower budget feature-length motion pictures to be viewed by the public.