Ments and Cops

Institute History

  • 1991 Directors Lab

Description

Set in 1935, MENTS AND COPS tells the dramatic true story of a group of Russian police officers (ments) who are sent to America to study the police practices of Chicago's City Police Force, notorious for their capture of famous mob figures like Al Capone, Bugsy Moran, and Spike O'Donnel.

Assigned to this special investigation are Bova, a man with super physical strength, Khomeriki, a ballistics and scientific genius, Cherkasov, a terrific marksman, and Baulin, the moralistic leader. The Soviets, once arriving to America are assigned to Chicago's Eighth precinct in the city's wealthiest district, the one that sees little crime. Each Soviet ment is assigned to an American partner.

The Russians soon become involved in solving mob-related crimes and become celebrated heroes in the 8th precinct, due to their bravery and cunning. They leave America feeling victorious, but their happiness is soon extinguished when they arrive home. Political terror has reached its height in the Soviet Union and paranoia about the trip to America sets in. The government officials who had sent the ments on their trip are in prison awaiting execution. Two months after their return, Bova, Baulin, Khomeriki, and Cherkosav are accused of espionage and sentenced to death. The efforts to share the technologies and police practices among the two countries is thrown away due to fear and ignorance.

Winner of the Hartley/Merrill Prize for Soviet Screenwriters

Credits

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