The Defection of Simas Kudirka (1978)
TV Movie
Drama
Based on the true story of the attempted defection in 1970 by a Lithuanian seaman seeking political asylum in the United States. Kudirka was denied asylum and returned to the Soviets, charged with treason, and sentenced to ten years of hard labor. It was later discovered and verified that his mother had been born in Brooklyn and gone to Lithuania at a young age, which meant she was a U. S. citizen. As a result, Kudirka was declared a U. S. citizen and in 1974 released by the Soviets.
Cast
Simas Kudirka
Cmdr. Edward Devon
Kabek
Baltrunar
Petras
Assistant Supervisor
Stender
Soviet Chairman
Radio Operator
Garvey
Cipola
Colley
Capt. Vladimir Popov
Picnic Man
Marija
Durgas
Seaman Nance
Yakov
Mrs. Paegle
Prosecutor
Old KGB Man
Young KGB Man
Capt. Sloan
Gruzauskas
Thomas
Adm. Ritter
Cmdr. Sullivan
Phillip Chadway
Genna Kudirka
Cmdr. Burkalis
Mott
Blain
Dr. Paegle
Crew
Director
Writer
Producer
Executive Producer
Executive Producer
Original Music Composer
Director of Photography
Editor
Art Direction
Music Editor