By Vesnik Kavkaza
One of the most prestigious film festivals will take place this year from 15th to 26th of May. Russia is sending the brightest movies of the year to Cannes. 19 movies from Europe, America, China, Iran, Japan, and Africa will take part in the main contest of the 66th Cannes Film Festival. Russia won’t fight for Palme d'Or, but two Russian brightest films of the year will participate in non-competition program.
“All the arrangements which will be held in Cannes are supervised by the Culture Ministry,” Vyacheslav Telnov, head of the Cinematography and Modernization Programs Department of the Culture Ministry of Russia, says. “This concerns the Russian Hall where we will be presented traditionally. It will be a kind of integration center for Russian moviemakers for the promotion of Russian cinema abroad. And the second one is the general stand “Cinema of Russia”, where 18 companies will be present to demonstrate their business.”
Traditionally, Russian moviemakers participate in several platforms of the festival and cinema market. For instance, the first run of Taisia Igumentseva’s debut movie “Cast off the Lines” will take place. Yuri Bykov’s “Major” will represent Russia at “Review Week”, the oldest section of debut full-length movies. The head of the Rock Studio Alexei Uchitel is a producer of the films.”I am happy that these are two young directors,” Uchitel says. “It is the second movie by Yura, as for Taisia, it is her first work. And it is the most important thing that we develop not only short movies, but also big cinema. They present films and are noted. To be a part of the Cannes Film Festival means everything, and they are launched to this orbit. I think close attention will be paid to them in the future at the cinema market. This is the most important thing.”
The Director General of ROSKINO, Yekaterina Mtsituridze, told Vestnik Kavkaza that the support of young directors is one of the most significant priorities this year. “A lot of attention is paid to the youth in this program. 10 guys will participate in the Short-film Corner for the first time. Unfortunately, I cannot see a lot of movies by young directors from the Caucasus or our former republics, because there are few of them at international festivals. I don’t know, probably a few movies are shot there or their promotion is insignificant, but I am sure that talented guys live everywhere. And I would be glad if they appear, we could establish a contact between young people from Russia and from abroad,” Mtsituridze said.
