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A church from the film "The Island" burned down in Karelia: Why did the locals consider a wooden hut a shrine?
A church from the film "The Island" burned down in Karelia: Why did the locals consider a wooden hut a shrine?

Video: A church from the film "The Island" burned down in Karelia: Why did the locals consider a wooden hut a shrine?

Video: A church from the film
Video: The Island (Russian movie with English subtitles) - YouTube 2024, November
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A week ago, an event took place in Karelia that shocked many local residents. In the village of Rabocheostrovsk, located in the Kemsky region, a hut, which served as a decoration for the film "The Island" by Pavel Lungin, burned down. According to the plot, it was a church in which monks prayed and which can be repeatedly seen in the frames of the film. This building was an iconic place, a special attraction in Karelia, and it was often visited not only by residents of the surrounding settlements, but also by Ostrov fans from all over Russia.

It was not possible to save the landmark
It was not possible to save the landmark

What happened?

The fire happened on the evening of June 7th. Unfortunately, the local firefighters failed to save the wooden structure. The house flared up at about 17.40, and it was possible to cope with the fire only by 21.00. The reasons for the fire will be established by an examination.

The fire was extinguished by six people, two pieces of equipment were used
The fire was extinguished by six people, two pieces of equipment were used

The head of the Kemsky district administration Dmitry Petrov noted on his page on the social network that the burned-down building was one of the symbols of the district, and its loss is sad news for the tourist season.

The church from the film looked like the real thing
The church from the film looked like the real thing

Local residents are shocked

The film, in which Pyotr Mamonov, Dmitry Dyuzhev and Viktor Sukhorukov played so brilliantly, has already become a cult movie since its release. However, this place was not only a tourist attraction. For fans of the film "The Island", most of whom are believers (and some of them came to faith precisely because of this film), this place is not just a sight and scenery for their favorite movies. In their opinion, it is no less significant than real shrines. It is no coincidence that pilgrims come here in a continuous stream.

Still from the film
Still from the film
Hut-church three weeks before the fire. / Elizaveta Orlikovskaya, "Overheard / Kem" in "VK"
Hut-church three weeks before the fire. / Elizaveta Orlikovskaya, "Overheard / Kem" in "VK"

In the group "Overheard / Kem" on the social network, local residents discussed the incident in detail. Some believe that this is arson, but it is not clear whether it was accidental or intentional.

A sight that has been lost forever. Photo: Alina Borovkova, "Overheard / Kem" in "VK"
A sight that has been lost forever. Photo: Alina Borovkova, "Overheard / Kem" in "VK"

“Maybe someone liked the place? And with the building it was problematic to acquire it! - suggested the user Sergey Konovalov. “Well then, people have no conscience at all, but I am more inclined to believe that the children set fire to it,” Svetlana Ustinova puts forward her version.

And Vadim Matikainen, who saw the fire with his own eyes, said: “About 10 minutes have passed since I discovered and started filming. The building couldn't catch fire on its own so quickly! But as soon as the fire began, a black column of smoke rose into the sky, previously from some kind of fuel. Everything points to arson. But while I was standing, I did not see anyone on land!"

Many locals believe that this is arson
Many locals believe that this is arson
The hut, which has become a shrine for many believers
The hut, which has become a shrine for many believers

“This object should have been restored long ago and taken under protection at the regional or local level,” says user Evgeny Karelsky.

And Dmitry Redkin summed up that there is still something that is not subject to fire - this is the sea, rocks, seagulls and the film itself.

Still from the film
Still from the film

Unique corner of Russia

It took a long time to find a location for filming the film: we were considering options in the Murmansk region, on Ladoga and Onega, as well as on the Pskov lakes, in Kizhi. After examining the operating monasteries, director Pavel Lungin realized that all of them were not what was needed.

A small modest skete was required. Finally, the film group found a suitable place: the village of Rabocheostrovsk on the coast of the White Sea. It was on the outskirts of this village that we decided to shoot "The Island".

This location was perfect for filming a movie about the power of faith
This location was perfect for filming a movie about the power of faith

The old navigation tower and dilapidated houses against the backdrop of the sea very accurately convey the atmosphere of the film. "Kinoshny" island is actually a peninsula, which is connected to the mainland by a thin strip of land. The bell tower was made from a navigation tower, and the church from a motion picture - it was she who burned down in early June - is in fact an old barrack, which did not even have a roof. For filming, the upper part was built on, crowned with domes, and inside everything was designed as in a real church.

Decoration is a church in winter
Decoration is a church in winter

Subsequently, director Pavel Lungin noted that this place is special, with an amazing atmosphere, and this was felt by the film crew throughout the entire period of filming.

Still from the film
Still from the film

Alas, the fire in the Kemsky region is not the first such loss. It is even more offensive when real ancient temples die in the fire. For example, about 12 years ago in Siberia burned down without waiting for restoration, the wooden church of the Life-Giving Trinity, and in 2018, also in Karelia, in Kondopoga, the Assumption Church was lost forever as a result of a fire.

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