At the Poklonka cinema of the Victory Museum in Moscow, a screening of the documentary film “Citadel” took place. This is not only a war film - it is a story about family, memory and human resilience, DKNews.kz reports.
The hero’s path: war, captivity and return to life
The film tells the story of Kasym Zharmenov, a defender of the Brest Fortress.
On June 22, 1941, together with other soldiers, he took the first blow, was captured, went through Nazi concentration camps, and later escaped.
Until May 1945 he fought in the partisan movement in Czechoslovakia. After the war, he returned to Shymkent, became a schoolteacher and lived a modest, dignified life.
Grandson and great-grandson retrace his steps
Eighty years later, his grandson Denis and great-grandson Timur followed his route of memory.
They visited the Brest Fortress, took a handful of soil from the site of the battles and brought it to his grave. Their journey became the emotional backbone of the film.
The story feels very personal - without loud slogans, but with deep meaning.
Ambassador: memory is the link between generations
Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Russia, Dauren Abayev, said that the participation of the family shows the unbroken bond between generations and the priceless value of the defenders’ courage.
According to him, documentaries about World War II help:
- preserve historical memory
- shape the worldview of young people
- better understand what happened at the front and in the rear
- restore historical truth and learn its lessons
“Citadel” — both fortress and family
The project’s author, Skyfest Film Company CEO Alexey Nikulin, explained the title:
“Citadel means both a fortress and a family. Walking in the footsteps of their heroic ancestor helped our characters understand themselves and their history. The film touches the eternal theme of fathers and children - and each hero goes through it in their own way.”
Books about the war and Kazakhstan
During the event, several new publications were also presented:
- “Psychology of War” by Baurzhan Momyshuly
- “Shoulder to Shoulder” by Aset Akkuzinov, about Kazakhstan’s contribution to Victory
Both books were published with the support of the Embassy.
Editor-in-chief Georgy Pryakhin also announced the upcoming release of Abdizhamil Nurpeisov’s novel “Kurlandia” in Russian.
A musical finale
The ceremony ended with Kazakh singer Nargiz Zholy mbetova performing the song “Immortal Regiment”.
The audience listened standing - because in such moments history becomes deeply personal.
