The Key to the Pokrovsky Gates

The film "Pokrovsky Gates," made in 1982 about 1956–1957, has become part of our cultural code in the 21st century. The film still provokes debate, it is quoted, and memes and stickers based on it appear in messengers. For many, this is not just a funny vaudeville, but an encyclopedia of Moscow life in the mid-20th century.

Lev Simkin, author of the book "The Key to 'Pokrovsky Gates'", explains what is not perceived by today’s viewers; he talks about the signs of a bygone era and the historical background, about the types and prototypes of the heroes of this film, and the story of its creation.

Lev Simkin is a Doctor of Law, professor, and author of many documentary books, including "Sobibor/Postscript," "Living as if. Images of 'Revolution Square' both familiar and forgotten," "The Great Deception. Foreigners in the Land of the Bolsheviks," "Soldiers of Retribution. The Hunt for Nazi Executioners."
He loves cinema selflessly, watches it, re-watches it, and writes about it.