SYNOPSIS: In the former USSR there were no Boy Scouts, there were only Young Pioneers.  Strictly for boys and girls between 10 and 15, Young Pioneers were taught to respect their elders, participate in outdoor activities and sports, and, above all else, excel in academics.  Although participation was optional, almost every child in the Soviet Union belonged to the Young Pioneers; it was a natural part of growing up.  Azov Films' The Pioneers brings you back to Communist Russia for a brief look at how a small group of boys became indoctrinated into the Pioneer Movement.

EDITORIAL REVIEW: This year Scouting in Ukraine is will undergo a magnificent change.  The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) may officially "recognize" Ukraine and as a result, for the first time ever in this former Republic of the Soviet Union, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will have a place in Ukraine!  Our presentation of The Pioneers is really quite fitting, and good timing.  Ukraine is one of the largest countries (population wise) in the world to not have "official" WOSM recognition.  Yes, Scouting exists, but not "officially" you can say!?  According to sources, in 2004, the Ukrainian Scout Youth Public Organization Spilka Pionerskykh Orhanizatzii Kyïva (literally Kiev Pioneer Movement Organization or SPOK, with a membership of 3,750 in 18 of 26 Ukrainian oblasts) applied for WOSM membership. In January, 2005, this motion was recommended by the World Scout Bureau. Since more than 5% of the National Scouting Organizations voted against the application, Germany and the Boy Scouts of America among the opposing votes, SPOK was not admitted to WOSM and withdrew the application. As a result of this, a special mission of the World Scout Committee was sent to Ukraine. Presently Ukrainian Scouting is trying to set up a new Scouting body unifying Plast (Plast National Scout Organization of Ukraine) and SPOK in order to satisfy WOSM requirements, to be worked out by 2008, as all parties are motivated to join the international community.

Although somewhat idealistic and militaristic in nature, the Pioneer Movement was indeed very much a part of a young communist' life growing up in the Soviet Union.  Azov Films' The Pioneers introduces newcomers Vladislav, Yaroslav, Alexander and Dmitriy as they re-enact a typical ceremony where the pledge is recited, and the boys are put through a rigorous physical endurance test.  Later on, the boys spend some time relaxing in the sauna.  But even after nearly 80 minutes in the sauna (yes, you read that right), they still have plenty of energy for an impromptu 20-minute wrestling match (in the spirit of their "comrades" in Water Wiggles Going Commando).

This DVD is jam packed!  It is 104 minutes long (you see, you are getting your money's worth for sure), some trailers of recent Azov releases, and a downloadable photo gallery with 36 pictures.  The gallery is presented on the DVD as a slide show, but when you pop the disc in your computer's DVD player you can transfer the pix to your hard drive.  Also, pretty much all of the dialog and interaction is subtitled in English.  There's also an extensive interview with all four boys (yep, also subtitled in English!).  So there's no more fast forwarding the DVD folks, you need to watch it all to get a good understanding of what The Pioneers is (or was) all about and get to know the boys' personality.

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* This DVD will play WORLDWIDE.

STARRING: Vladislav Alexeev, Yaroslav Mogutin, Alexey Sashko, Dmitriy Novikov.
DIRECTOR: Sergey Kotov.
AVAILABILITY: In stock! Ships within one business day.
LENGTH: 104 minutes + previews + photo gallery.
LANGUAGE: Russian, with OPTIONAL ENGLISH SUBTITLES.
SPECIAL FEATURES: 1.33:1 (4:3 Full Screen); 2.0 Stereo; 1 disc; Chapter selection; Slide show with downloadable 36-picture photo gallery; Trailers.
VIEWER DISCRETION: Naturist, European culture.
PICTURE QUALITY: Excellent picture quality. (what's this mean?)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Ukraine (2008).
ALSO KNOWN AS:
DATE OF PRODUCTION: April, 2008.
DATE ADDED TO OUR LIBRARY:  July 11, 2008.

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*There is no sexual content in this professionally produced film. ** This film is suitable for viewing by naturists and those interested in the naturist lifestyle.