A new serial "Shtrafbat" ("Penal Battalion") is going to be released in autumn. The 12-series heroic and psychological movie of Nikolay Dostal is devoted to WWII. One of the main parts - private Zuckerman - is played by a former Almaty citizen Ilya Kovrizhnyh. He has arrived in Almaty the other day to visit his mother, and found time to meet with "Rimon" JCC youth club members.

   "I felt like talking to those guys", the young actors said. "I seem not much older. I was curious what their life was about".

   The meeting proved to be interesting not only for the guest. The youth club members wondered about Ilya's work, interests, and recollections of Almaty.

   "Five years ago I conducted the Community Festival of the Jewish Book in Almaty. It was dreadfully interesting. I learned some poems in Hebrew and tried to sing a Yiddish song. I was surrounded with such love and care, that I was quite at home in the Hesed. The community recognized me, though I've got no Jewish background. But in spite of that I respect Jewish people and I'm proud for being useful to the commmunity."

   But of course most of the questions were devoted to "Shtrafbat" movie.

   "Private Zuckerman is a delicate boy who got to a penal battalion after a fight. To make the movie more interesting for you, I won't tell the details. I can say only that at the end Zuckerman dies."

   "It is hard to say without watching the movie, but I think Ilya fits this role the best," the director of Jewish Republican Library and Ilya's old friend Eugenia Karyakina says. "That's the way he is - touching, vulnerable, and sweet. I've known him for six years, and every new meeting brings nothing but joy."

   Ilya can not simply be called lucky. He made great effort to enter the Drama Institute in Moscow.

   "I entered the Institute in 1998. When I arrived in Moscow, I thought the money I brought with me would be enough for three month. But suddenly the rouble dropped - I hardly had money for a pack of cigarettes. Good that I don't smoke."

   To his relatives' surprise, the difficulties did not prevent Ilya from achieving a success.
   "He's always been a home boy", his mother said. "I was shocked to know about his going to Moscow. He couldn't cook or wash. I tried to persuade him to enter a Drama Institute in Yaroslavl town, where my parents live. But he refused. Now my husband and I know that we brought up a strong man."

   Ilya's way to the cinema wasn't simple as well. It took him about five years to appear in his first movie.

   "I remember the first time I got to "Mosfilm" I was struck by its desolation. My friend and I were passing through empty dark passages. There was a woman in one of the rooms, who said that they were making a movie. We were surprised, because there was nobody but her. She was confused and explained that they actually wanted to make a movie, but they ran out of money. I asked just for fun, if they could shot me if I invest. She said how much money was needed and I lost all desire for asking."

   At present Ilya works in Yaroslavl Drama Theatre. On behalf of Kazakhstan Jewish community and www.mitsva.kz we would like to wish Ilya success and interesting parts.

Galina Goldberg