Exclusive: German actor August Diehl, whose credits include The Young Karl Marx, Inglourious Basterds and A Hidden Life, has signed on to play the lead role in big-budget Russian drama Woland.
The $15M project is a loose adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s classic novel The Master and Margarita, one of the most read books in Russia’s history. Michael Lockshin (Silver Skates) is directing from a screenplay by Roman Kantor and Michael Lockshinbased.
Starring alongside Diehl are Yulia Snigir and Evgeniy Tsyganov. Set in Moscow in the 1930s, the film will weave together the novel’s narrative with Bulgakov’s own history in Russia. It will follow a promising young writer who at the height of his career finds himself in the middle of a scandal of both literary and political nature – his new novel is being crushed by harsh idealistic critics, who say that his vivid depiction of Christ...
The $15M project is a loose adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s classic novel The Master and Margarita, one of the most read books in Russia’s history. Michael Lockshin (Silver Skates) is directing from a screenplay by Roman Kantor and Michael Lockshinbased.
Starring alongside Diehl are Yulia Snigir and Evgeniy Tsyganov. Set in Moscow in the 1930s, the film will weave together the novel’s narrative with Bulgakov’s own history in Russia. It will follow a promising young writer who at the height of his career finds himself in the middle of a scandal of both literary and political nature – his new novel is being crushed by harsh idealistic critics, who say that his vivid depiction of Christ...
- 7/22/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Unspooling from June 8-15, the Key Buyers Event: Digital Edition will feature a slew of drama projects worth looking out for, from psychological thrillers to biopics and new takes on modern relationships.
“Insomnia” (1-2-3 Production) 2022
Producers: Valeriy Fedorovich, Evgeniy Nikishov
Synopsis: Yuri is a successful psychiatrist and hypnotist, a committed non-believer, capable of rationalizing anything except for his own nightmares: featuring his late ex-wife, some red-haired beauty and a strange symbol that looks like an infinity sign. When a mother of a boy, also tormented by nightmares, turns to Yuri for help, he tries to untangle this case. In the process of treatment Yuri comes across evidence of reincarnation, while the boy himself gives him clues to the mystery of his own nightmares.
Valeriy Fedorovich: “‘Insomnia’ is a mystical drama with some thriller elements and unconventional Russian A-list duet of Gosha Kutsenko and Irina Starshenbaum, known internationally for their...
“Insomnia” (1-2-3 Production) 2022
Producers: Valeriy Fedorovich, Evgeniy Nikishov
Synopsis: Yuri is a successful psychiatrist and hypnotist, a committed non-believer, capable of rationalizing anything except for his own nightmares: featuring his late ex-wife, some red-haired beauty and a strange symbol that looks like an infinity sign. When a mother of a boy, also tormented by nightmares, turns to Yuri for help, he tries to untangle this case. In the process of treatment Yuri comes across evidence of reincarnation, while the boy himself gives him clues to the mystery of his own nightmares.
Valeriy Fedorovich: “‘Insomnia’ is a mystical drama with some thriller elements and unconventional Russian A-list duet of Gosha Kutsenko and Irina Starshenbaum, known internationally for their...
- 6/7/2021
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Alexey German Jr.’s Under Electric Clouds has become the first high-profile title to fall victim to Ukraine’s new distribution ban on Russian films and TV series, which came into effect last week.
One law entitled ¨On the Protection of the Information, TV and Radio Space of Ukraine¨ forbids all audiovisual works that contain the ¨popularization, agitation for, propagation about all law enforcement agencies, the armed forces, and other armed, military or security forces of the occupier state¨ from being shown on Ukrainian territory.
In addition, a law banning the distribution and showing of films and TV series produced in Russia after January 1, 2014, came into force at the same time, according to Unian Information Agency.
The ban coincided with the film’s theatrical opening by distributor Paradis in Russian cinemas and was all the more surprising given that German’s film was made as a co-production between Russia, Ukraine and Poland between Artem Vasiliev’s Metrafilm...
One law entitled ¨On the Protection of the Information, TV and Radio Space of Ukraine¨ forbids all audiovisual works that contain the ¨popularization, agitation for, propagation about all law enforcement agencies, the armed forces, and other armed, military or security forces of the occupier state¨ from being shown on Ukrainian territory.
In addition, a law banning the distribution and showing of films and TV series produced in Russia after January 1, 2014, came into force at the same time, according to Unian Information Agency.
The ban coincided with the film’s theatrical opening by distributor Paradis in Russian cinemas and was all the more surprising given that German’s film was made as a co-production between Russia, Ukraine and Poland between Artem Vasiliev’s Metrafilm...
- 6/10/2015
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Russian Ark director hopes to take Francofonia, Louvre Under German Occupation to the next Cannes Film Festival.
Russian director Alexander Sokurov hopes to premiere his latest feature project Francofonia, Louvre Under German Occupation at Cannes next May
Speaking exclusively to ScreenDaily at his Cinema Lab (C.L.A.S.S) in Repino during this week’s Saint Petersburg International Media Forum (Spimf), Sokurov revealed that “both Berlin and Cannes have shown interest in the film, but it is for the producers to make the final decision”.
“It seems to me that with this particular film should have its premiere in Cannes because of its subject and because Cannes is less political than Berlin,” he added.
Sokurov explained that post-production on the film is continuing parallel to his involvement in this week’s inaugural Spimf.
“There is actor dubbing being done in Paris and Berlin and we will be recording the music with a large symphony orchestra in Amsterdam...
Russian director Alexander Sokurov hopes to premiere his latest feature project Francofonia, Louvre Under German Occupation at Cannes next May
Speaking exclusively to ScreenDaily at his Cinema Lab (C.L.A.S.S) in Repino during this week’s Saint Petersburg International Media Forum (Spimf), Sokurov revealed that “both Berlin and Cannes have shown interest in the film, but it is for the producers to make the final decision”.
“It seems to me that with this particular film should have its premiere in Cannes because of its subject and because Cannes is less political than Berlin,” he added.
Sokurov explained that post-production on the film is continuing parallel to his involvement in this week’s inaugural Spimf.
“There is actor dubbing being done in Paris and Berlin and we will be recording the music with a large symphony orchestra in Amsterdam...
- 10/7/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
New films from Krzysztof Zanussi and Ralph Fiennes to also world premiere at Window To Europe Film Festival.
New films by Gérard Depardieu, Krzysztof Zanussi and Ralph Fiennes will have their world premieres at the 22nd edition of the Window To Europe Film Festival (Aug 8-15) in the Russian town of Vyborg situated close to the border with Finland.
French director Philippe Martinez’s tale of redemption and revenge Viktor, which stars Depardieu, Elizabeth Hurley and Eli Danker, will open a competition section dedicated to films co-produced with Russia.
Viktor, which was shot in Chechnya and Moscow last summer and is being handled internationally by UK-based sales agent Saradan Media, will be released by Paradise in Russian cinemas on September 4.
Co-production competition
Other co-productions selected include Zanussi’s Foreign Body, produced by his own company Studio Filmowe Tor with Italy’s Revolver Film and Russia’s Ineureka and Bella Vostok Ltd; Uzbek director Dilmurod Masaidov’s thriller...
New films by Gérard Depardieu, Krzysztof Zanussi and Ralph Fiennes will have their world premieres at the 22nd edition of the Window To Europe Film Festival (Aug 8-15) in the Russian town of Vyborg situated close to the border with Finland.
French director Philippe Martinez’s tale of redemption and revenge Viktor, which stars Depardieu, Elizabeth Hurley and Eli Danker, will open a competition section dedicated to films co-produced with Russia.
Viktor, which was shot in Chechnya and Moscow last summer and is being handled internationally by UK-based sales agent Saradan Media, will be released by Paradise in Russian cinemas on September 4.
Co-production competition
Other co-productions selected include Zanussi’s Foreign Body, produced by his own company Studio Filmowe Tor with Italy’s Revolver Film and Russia’s Ineureka and Bella Vostok Ltd; Uzbek director Dilmurod Masaidov’s thriller...
- 8/5/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Actor Gérard Depardieu is being considered for a Russian fantasy feature.
Actor Gérard Depardieu has come into the sights of Russian producer Yuri Kuznetsov-Taizhnov of Pervaya Kinostudia (First Film Studio) for children’s fantasy film Games Of Time. Exile by the newcomer Alexandr Olkov.
The project, which is budgeted at $2.6m (RUB90m) and reportedly has $1.5m (RUB50m) already in place, was presented by Kuznetsov-Taizhnov as one of 15 features looking for production support from the Ministry of Culture at its public pitching for children’s feature films.
The producer explained in the pitch that the film about a little girl from another world arriving unexpectedly in our reality is intended to be shot in IMAX 3D, although he reportedly admitted that the film’s budget could mean the makers would have to choose between either Depardieu or the big-screen format.
Games Of Time. Exile was one of five projects recommended by the Ministry’s expert committee...
Actor Gérard Depardieu has come into the sights of Russian producer Yuri Kuznetsov-Taizhnov of Pervaya Kinostudia (First Film Studio) for children’s fantasy film Games Of Time. Exile by the newcomer Alexandr Olkov.
The project, which is budgeted at $2.6m (RUB90m) and reportedly has $1.5m (RUB50m) already in place, was presented by Kuznetsov-Taizhnov as one of 15 features looking for production support from the Ministry of Culture at its public pitching for children’s feature films.
The producer explained in the pitch that the film about a little girl from another world arriving unexpectedly in our reality is intended to be shot in IMAX 3D, although he reportedly admitted that the film’s budget could mean the makers would have to choose between either Depardieu or the big-screen format.
Games Of Time. Exile was one of five projects recommended by the Ministry’s expert committee...
- 7/3/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Among the deals, Mexico’s In Films We Trust will buy a package of eight Russian films from Timur Bekmambetov’s Bazelevs.
Moscow Business Square’s Latin American focus has already borne its first fruits less than a week after the event closed.
Speaking exclusively to ScreenDaily, consultant Diana Karklin revealed that Russian producer Vlad Ketkovich will serve as the executive producer on the Mexican documentary Torre about the tragic story of Mexico’s greatest ever chess player Carlos Torre, which was pitched in Moscow by director Juan Obregon and co-director/producer Roberto Garza.
In addition, Mexico’s facilities house Studio 5 de mayo plans to finance the post-production of Maria Gavrilova´s Brazilian-Russian documentary project Close Your Eyes by Marx Films, as well as for the Colombian project Revolution which was pitched at Mbs by the producer-director-screenwriter team of Camilo Molano Parra, Felipe Cano Ibanez and Santiago Ardilla Reyes.
Karklin also noted...
Moscow Business Square’s Latin American focus has already borne its first fruits less than a week after the event closed.
Speaking exclusively to ScreenDaily, consultant Diana Karklin revealed that Russian producer Vlad Ketkovich will serve as the executive producer on the Mexican documentary Torre about the tragic story of Mexico’s greatest ever chess player Carlos Torre, which was pitched in Moscow by director Juan Obregon and co-director/producer Roberto Garza.
In addition, Mexico’s facilities house Studio 5 de mayo plans to finance the post-production of Maria Gavrilova´s Brazilian-Russian documentary project Close Your Eyes by Marx Films, as well as for the Colombian project Revolution which was pitched at Mbs by the producer-director-screenwriter team of Camilo Molano Parra, Felipe Cano Ibanez and Santiago Ardilla Reyes.
Karklin also noted...
- 6/30/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
31 projects were presented by nine Russian production houses at a pitching to the Russian Cinema Fund.
Russia’s answer to Alfonso Cuaron’s Gravity and an updated, Russian-set adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost were among the 31 film projects presented by nine Russian production houses - the so-called ‘leaders’ - at a pitching to the Russian Cinema Fund (Rcf) this week.
An expert committee gave each of the 31 projects a rating, but the final decision on how much production support - and whether it is a subsidy or conditionally repayable loan - will be decided by the Rcf later in the year.
Sergey Selyanov’s St Petersburg-based Ctb is behind the “first Russian space thriller”, Salyut 7, which would be based on the true story of the rescue mission for the orbital station in 1985. The film is budgeted at RUB320m and Ctb is looking to receive RUB150m from the Cinema Fund.
Ctb’s slate...
Russia’s answer to Alfonso Cuaron’s Gravity and an updated, Russian-set adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost were among the 31 film projects presented by nine Russian production houses - the so-called ‘leaders’ - at a pitching to the Russian Cinema Fund (Rcf) this week.
An expert committee gave each of the 31 projects a rating, but the final decision on how much production support - and whether it is a subsidy or conditionally repayable loan - will be decided by the Rcf later in the year.
Sergey Selyanov’s St Petersburg-based Ctb is behind the “first Russian space thriller”, Salyut 7, which would be based on the true story of the rescue mission for the orbital station in 1985. The film is budgeted at RUB320m and Ctb is looking to receive RUB150m from the Cinema Fund.
Ctb’s slate...
- 6/26/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Peter Webber to head jury, David Puttnam to deliver lecture during fifth edition of the Ukranian festival.
Golden Bear winner Black Coal, Thin Ice and the Camera D’Or recipient Party Girl [pictured] are among the 12 films selected for the International Competition at the fifth edition of the Odessa International Film Festival (Oiff), which runs July 11-19.
UK director Peter Webber will head the jury composed of Ukrainian film-maker Sergei Loznitsa, Israeli actress Jenya Dodina, Belorussian actress-director Olga Dykhovichnaya and French actor-critic Jean-Philippe Tessé.
The other films in the running for the Golden Duke award are:
Bryan Reisberg’s social and psychological drama Big Significant Things (Us)Levan Koguashvili’s feelgood film Blind Dates (Georgia)Director and painter Lech Majewski’s Field of Dogs (Poland)Alonso Ruizpalacios’ road movie debut Güeros (Mexico)Valentin Hotea’s social and psychological drama Roxanne (Romania)Anna Melikyan’s Kinotavr award-winner Star (Russia)Maximilan Erlenwein’s psychological thriller Stereo (Germany)Tribeca winner [link=nm...
Golden Bear winner Black Coal, Thin Ice and the Camera D’Or recipient Party Girl [pictured] are among the 12 films selected for the International Competition at the fifth edition of the Odessa International Film Festival (Oiff), which runs July 11-19.
UK director Peter Webber will head the jury composed of Ukrainian film-maker Sergei Loznitsa, Israeli actress Jenya Dodina, Belorussian actress-director Olga Dykhovichnaya and French actor-critic Jean-Philippe Tessé.
The other films in the running for the Golden Duke award are:
Bryan Reisberg’s social and psychological drama Big Significant Things (Us)Levan Koguashvili’s feelgood film Blind Dates (Georgia)Director and painter Lech Majewski’s Field of Dogs (Poland)Alonso Ruizpalacios’ road movie debut Güeros (Mexico)Valentin Hotea’s social and psychological drama Roxanne (Romania)Anna Melikyan’s Kinotavr award-winner Star (Russia)Maximilan Erlenwein’s psychological thriller Stereo (Germany)Tribeca winner [link=nm...
- 6/11/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Alexander Kott’s love story [pictured] awarded the Grand Prix and the prize for best cinematography.
Alexander Kott’s Test was the big winner at this year’s Kinotavr Open Russian Film Festival at the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
The jury headed by Cannes prize-winner Andrey Zvyagintsev awarded its Grand Prix “for the realisation of the dream” and the prize for best cinematography to Kott’s love story, set against the first hydrogen bomb tests in the Kazakh Steppe at the beginning of the 50s.
In addition, Kott’s film received the Elephant Trophy from the Guild of Film Critics and Film Scholars.
Test is handled internationally by Anton Mazurov’s fledgling Russian sales company Ant!pode Sales & Distribution, which saw its other three new titles by four women directors coming away from this year’s Kinotavr with trophies and diplomas in their luggage:
Anna Melikian’s Star received the prizes for best direction and best actress...
Alexander Kott’s Test was the big winner at this year’s Kinotavr Open Russian Film Festival at the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
The jury headed by Cannes prize-winner Andrey Zvyagintsev awarded its Grand Prix “for the realisation of the dream” and the prize for best cinematography to Kott’s love story, set against the first hydrogen bomb tests in the Kazakh Steppe at the beginning of the 50s.
In addition, Kott’s film received the Elephant Trophy from the Guild of Film Critics and Film Scholars.
Test is handled internationally by Anton Mazurov’s fledgling Russian sales company Ant!pode Sales & Distribution, which saw its other three new titles by four women directors coming away from this year’s Kinotavr with trophies and diplomas in their luggage:
Anna Melikian’s Star received the prizes for best direction and best actress...
- 6/9/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Non Stop Productions, producer of Cannes winner Leviathan, is among nine “industry leaders” selected by the Russian Cinema Fund (Fond Kino) to take a share of $55m (RUB1.9bn).
Alexander Rodnyansky’s Non Stop Productions, producer of Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Cannes winner Leviathan, is among nine production companies selected as ¨industry leaders¨ for 2014 by the Russian Cinema Fund (Fond Kino) for the allocation of $55m (RUB1.9bn) to be distributed among them as subsidies or repayable loans.
Leviathan will be the closing film at the weekend for this week’s ‘Kinotavr’ Open Russia Film Festival in Sochi, and Non Stop is also represented by Konstantin Buslov’s second feature Adventurers as part of the open-air programme
The line-up of ¨leaders¨ also includes Igor Tolstunov’s company ProFIT, which has two films in Kinotavr’s main competition - Alexander Kott’s Test and Nigina Saifullayeva’s Whatayacallme -; Sergei Selyanov’s Ctb - in Sochi with the animation...
Alexander Rodnyansky’s Non Stop Productions, producer of Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Cannes winner Leviathan, is among nine production companies selected as ¨industry leaders¨ for 2014 by the Russian Cinema Fund (Fond Kino) for the allocation of $55m (RUB1.9bn) to be distributed among them as subsidies or repayable loans.
Leviathan will be the closing film at the weekend for this week’s ‘Kinotavr’ Open Russia Film Festival in Sochi, and Non Stop is also represented by Konstantin Buslov’s second feature Adventurers as part of the open-air programme
The line-up of ¨leaders¨ also includes Igor Tolstunov’s company ProFIT, which has two films in Kinotavr’s main competition - Alexander Kott’s Test and Nigina Saifullayeva’s Whatayacallme -; Sergei Selyanov’s Ctb - in Sochi with the animation...
- 6/5/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Ahead of the American Film Market (Afm), Intandem Films has picked up Gagarin First in Space, the story of iconic Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.
The film is produced by Oleg Kapanets and Igor Tolstunov, directed by Pavel Parkhomenko and stars Yaroslav Zhalnin, Mikhail Pilippov and Viktor Proskurin.
Intandem has also signed three Richwater Film titles: completed Danny Dyer thriller Vendetta, gangster film Assassin and crime drama Reign of the General, currently in pre-production...
The film is produced by Oleg Kapanets and Igor Tolstunov, directed by Pavel Parkhomenko and stars Yaroslav Zhalnin, Mikhail Pilippov and Viktor Proskurin.
Intandem has also signed three Richwater Film titles: completed Danny Dyer thriller Vendetta, gangster film Assassin and crime drama Reign of the General, currently in pre-production...
- 11/1/2013
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Moscow -- Russia's main film festival Kinotavr kicks off June 6 in the Black Sea resort of Sochi with the premiere of "Moscow, I Love You," a collection of short films about the Russian capital, shot by established local directors, including Yegor Konchalovski and Vera Storozheva.
The 21st edition of the festival is being staged amid financial problems and a sharp decline in local film production in the wake of a global economic downturn.
The festival's co-owner Igor Tolstunov and the headline sponsor mobile phone operator Vimpelcom pulled out six weeks ago, forcing the remaining owner Alexander Rodnyansky to personally cover most of the cost.
During last year's festival the selection committee admitted that it would no longer have that many films to choose from -- which has already had an impact on this year's festival lineup with the majority of movies chosen for the official competition made by first-time or little-known feature directors.
The 21st edition of the festival is being staged amid financial problems and a sharp decline in local film production in the wake of a global economic downturn.
The festival's co-owner Igor Tolstunov and the headline sponsor mobile phone operator Vimpelcom pulled out six weeks ago, forcing the remaining owner Alexander Rodnyansky to personally cover most of the cost.
During last year's festival the selection committee admitted that it would no longer have that many films to choose from -- which has already had an impact on this year's festival lineup with the majority of movies chosen for the official competition made by first-time or little-known feature directors.
- 6/3/2010
- by By Vladimir Kozlov
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It's useless to search her, because she doesn't have anything. She is a bitch. She is Stranger.
That's briefly what teaser says about her with heavy criminal slang that I don't even know how to translate. In the teaser the man also calls her Oyster, I don't know what it means in criminal slang. I also don't know how to translate the title, because Чужая means Female Stranger as well as Female Alien, Female Foreigner, etc.. So I chose Stranger.
Producer of Chuzhaya (Stranger) is Konstantin Ernst, the most influential media producer in Russia. He was behind of such well-known titles as Night Watch, Day Watch, Turkish Gambit, Admiral, Hipsters (Stilyagi), Irony of Fate 2 with its record box-office, and several notable, popular and sometimes controversial TV-shows and series. He is a king of Russian TV. His movies hit the record of Russian box-office several times. So his name in the trailer promises decent show.
That's briefly what teaser says about her with heavy criminal slang that I don't even know how to translate. In the teaser the man also calls her Oyster, I don't know what it means in criminal slang. I also don't know how to translate the title, because Чужая means Female Stranger as well as Female Alien, Female Foreigner, etc.. So I chose Stranger.
Producer of Chuzhaya (Stranger) is Konstantin Ernst, the most influential media producer in Russia. He was behind of such well-known titles as Night Watch, Day Watch, Turkish Gambit, Admiral, Hipsters (Stilyagi), Irony of Fate 2 with its record box-office, and several notable, popular and sometimes controversial TV-shows and series. He is a king of Russian TV. His movies hit the record of Russian box-office several times. So his name in the trailer promises decent show.
- 5/5/2010
- Screen Anarchy
Moscow -- The future of Russia's main film festival, Kinotavr, is unclear following the exit of co-owner Igor Tolstunov and one of the festival's main sponsors, the cell phone operator Vympelcom.
Just weeks before the 21st edition of Kinotavr is scheduled to kick off in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on June 6, the news has come that Tolstunov, one of the festival's two co-owners, has sold his share to the other partner, Alexander Rodnyansky, for an undisclosed sum, while Vympelcom is discontinuing support for the festival to focus on more sales-related projects.
Tolstunov didn't give explanations for his pullout, and Rodnyansky told the Gazeta paper that this year's fest is to go ahead as planned, as he is providing $2.5 million out of his own pocket and another 7 million roubles ($241,000) is coming from the culture ministry and local authorities.
Future editions of the event will depend on finding a new...
Just weeks before the 21st edition of Kinotavr is scheduled to kick off in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on June 6, the news has come that Tolstunov, one of the festival's two co-owners, has sold his share to the other partner, Alexander Rodnyansky, for an undisclosed sum, while Vympelcom is discontinuing support for the festival to focus on more sales-related projects.
Tolstunov didn't give explanations for his pullout, and Rodnyansky told the Gazeta paper that this year's fest is to go ahead as planned, as he is providing $2.5 million out of his own pocket and another 7 million roubles ($241,000) is coming from the culture ministry and local authorities.
Future editions of the event will depend on finding a new...
- 4/22/2010
- by By Vladimir Kozlov
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cannes Film Festival, Critics' Week
Valeria Gaia Germanika, age 23, already has three documentaries to her name prior to securing a Critics Week berth for her debut feature "Everybody Dies but Me" ("Vse Umrut a Ja Ostanus"). Unfortunately, it's only in the few moments when her movie most resembles a documentary that her movie really comes to life. Story-telling does not appear to be Germanika's forte. This mawkish tale of three teenage girls gearing up for their first disco dance is unlikely to find many takers beyond Russia's borders.
We first encounter the 14-year-olds Katya, Vika and Zhanna as they are preparing to bury the latter's much-loved cat. Their conversation, ranging from breast measurements to thrilling, dangerous new words like "suck," is entirely unexceptional for girls of their age and background.
So is Germanika's development of her material as she shows us the girls pledging eternal friendship, rebelling against their parents and praying to acquire boyfriends in pedestrian dialogue that adds nothing to the sum of human knowledge. The announcement by their head teacher that the school is to stage a disco, the girls' preparations, and what happens on the day, form the core of the action.
Experienced hands, or perhaps female scriptwriters, could have drawn something witty or touching from a set-up like this. But the screenplay by Alexander Rodionov and Yury Klavdiev provides little sustenance. When Germanika forgets the story and becomes an observer, as when she dwells on the excitement of the girls and their friends in the changing room in the minutes before the dance begins -- notably the screams of delight when one of them reveals that she is wearing a thong -- the movie ignites briefly.
Production company: Igor Tolstunov Film Production.
Cast: Polina Philonenko, Anya Kuznetsova, Olga Shuvalova.
Director: Valeria Gaia Germanika.
Screenwriters: Alexander Rodionov, Yury Klavdiev.
Executive producer: Darya Khlastkina.
Photography: Alisha Khamidkhozdaev.
Editor: Yulia Batalova, Ivan Lebedev.
Production design: Denis Shibanov.
No rating, 80 minutes.
Valeria Gaia Germanika, age 23, already has three documentaries to her name prior to securing a Critics Week berth for her debut feature "Everybody Dies but Me" ("Vse Umrut a Ja Ostanus"). Unfortunately, it's only in the few moments when her movie most resembles a documentary that her movie really comes to life. Story-telling does not appear to be Germanika's forte. This mawkish tale of three teenage girls gearing up for their first disco dance is unlikely to find many takers beyond Russia's borders.
We first encounter the 14-year-olds Katya, Vika and Zhanna as they are preparing to bury the latter's much-loved cat. Their conversation, ranging from breast measurements to thrilling, dangerous new words like "suck," is entirely unexceptional for girls of their age and background.
So is Germanika's development of her material as she shows us the girls pledging eternal friendship, rebelling against their parents and praying to acquire boyfriends in pedestrian dialogue that adds nothing to the sum of human knowledge. The announcement by their head teacher that the school is to stage a disco, the girls' preparations, and what happens on the day, form the core of the action.
Experienced hands, or perhaps female scriptwriters, could have drawn something witty or touching from a set-up like this. But the screenplay by Alexander Rodionov and Yury Klavdiev provides little sustenance. When Germanika forgets the story and becomes an observer, as when she dwells on the excitement of the girls and their friends in the changing room in the minutes before the dance begins -- notably the screams of delight when one of them reveals that she is wearing a thong -- the movie ignites briefly.
Production company: Igor Tolstunov Film Production.
Cast: Polina Philonenko, Anya Kuznetsova, Olga Shuvalova.
Director: Valeria Gaia Germanika.
Screenwriters: Alexander Rodionov, Yury Klavdiev.
Executive producer: Darya Khlastkina.
Photography: Alisha Khamidkhozdaev.
Editor: Yulia Batalova, Ivan Lebedev.
Production design: Denis Shibanov.
No rating, 80 minutes.
LONDON -- Russia's leading national film showcase Kinotavr opened Sunday in the Black Sea resort of Sochi with a lineup of competition movies in which half are directed by women, organizers said.
The 18th edition of Kinotavr -- now in its third year under management headed by CTC Media CEO Alexander Rodniansky and former NTV executive turned producer Igor Tolstunov -- will screen 14 competition features during its weeklong run, program director Sitora Alieva said.
"This year's festival is characterized by the number of female directors in the program -- 55 in total -- of which seven are in the main competition," Sitora Alieva said. "The submissions came in right across the range -- social, political and genre films. We chose the best."
Longstanding Russian directors including Alexei Balabanov (with military thriller "Cargo 200") and veteran female director Kira Muratova (with "Two in One") will feature in the competition alongside such newcomers as Marina Razhbezhkina ("Yar").
The festival will show both of Russia's Cannes competition entries: Alexander Sokurov's "Alexandra" and Andrei Zvyagintsev's "The Banishment" (which closes the festival).
The 18th edition of Kinotavr -- now in its third year under management headed by CTC Media CEO Alexander Rodniansky and former NTV executive turned producer Igor Tolstunov -- will screen 14 competition features during its weeklong run, program director Sitora Alieva said.
"This year's festival is characterized by the number of female directors in the program -- 55 in total -- of which seven are in the main competition," Sitora Alieva said. "The submissions came in right across the range -- social, political and genre films. We chose the best."
Longstanding Russian directors including Alexei Balabanov (with military thriller "Cargo 200") and veteran female director Kira Muratova (with "Two in One") will feature in the competition alongside such newcomers as Marina Razhbezhkina ("Yar").
The festival will show both of Russia's Cannes competition entries: Alexander Sokurov's "Alexandra" and Andrei Zvyagintsev's "The Banishment" (which closes the festival).
MOSCOW -- The 17th edition of Russia's national film festival, Kinotavr, will have a competition lineup dominated by premieres, with 13 out of 14 films in competition unspooling for the first time. The annual showcase runs June 3-13 at Sochi, one of Russia's top Black Sea resorts. Two of the films -- Alexei Balabanov's Mne Ne Bol'no (I'm Not in Pain) and Alexander Rogozhkin's Peregon (Driving), both from St. Petersburg-based producer Sergei Selyanbov of CTB -- were held back from scheduled April releases in order to open as premieres at Sochi, Kinotavr chairman Alexander Rodnyansky said Friday at a Moscow media conference. The festival -- now in its second year under management headed by Rodnyansky and general producer Igor Tolstunov -- is expected to reflect a new, more professionally oriented focus. "The festival will include a number of professional round tables on industry issues," Rodnyansky said.
- 5/12/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
SOCHI, Russia -- Russia's annual showcase of the best in national cinema, Kinotavr, is living up to the promise of its new owners as a platform for the promotion and support of Russia's booming film industry. The festival, which kicked off June 2 and runs through Sunday, was taken over from founder Mark Rudinshtein earlier this year by Ukrainian Alexander Rodnansky, president of Moscow-based national television network STS-Media, and network executive Igor Tolstunov -- both seasoned film producers. It has been shorn of an international competition that had run alongside the domestic festival for the past decade, but a relaunched market section and an array of professional events, which have been lacking in recent years, signal the new team's ambitions to make Kinotavr a workhorse for professional development.
- 6/10/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
MOSCOW -- Kinotavr, Russia's national film festival, on Thursday announced its competition lineup and a sponsorship package worth $2 million. The annual film bash held at the Black Sea resort of Sochi will field eight debuts among its 17 competition features, all of which are Russian premieres. They include Alexander Balabanov's new movie Zhmurki (Blind Man's Bluff), a comedy that features Moscow Film Festival president and leading director Nikita Mikhalkov in the role of a mafia gang boss. The festival -- which last month announced new ownership and management under Alexander Rodniansky, general director of STS Television, and Igor Tolstunov, deputy general director of STS -- will focus on professional and industry concerns, Tolstunov said at a Moscow news conference.
- 5/19/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
MOSCOW -- Russia's annual national domestic film festival, Kinotavr, promises a tighter, more professional focus next month when its 16th edition opens under new ownership in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, organizers said Thursday. Film and television producers Alexander Rodnianski, president of STS Media, which runs one of Russia's most successful commercial TV stations, STS; and Igor Tolstunov, deputy general director of STS, plan to bring the festival more fully into the focus of international festival directors and distribution agents, festival press director Lena Kupriyanova said. Rodnianski and Tolstunov bought the festival in April from its founder, Mark Rudinshtein. The two-week festival -- long a favorite haunt of Russia's film industry and artistic elite -- will shed its international competition, a feature for the past 11 years, in favor of a more focused approach.
MOSCOW -- Two films dominated the awards at Kinotavr, Russia's leading national film festival, which closed Tuesday night, with Pavel Chukrai's Voditel dlya Veri, (A Driver for Vera) and Valery Todorovksy's Moi Svodnyi Brat Frankenshtein (My Stepbrother Frankenstein) garnering the major honors. Veri, a Soviet-era thriller set in the seaside retreat of a top Soviet general in 1962, won the Golden Rose -- the festival's top prize. The film, producer by Igor Tolstunov and Alexander Rodniansky, also won a special Best Producers Project prize and won best director and best screenplay for Chukrai.
- 6/16/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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