An exclusive screening of French director Francois Ozon’s film “8 Women” opened Friday Moscow’s 24th International Film Festival in Pushkin Square, at a ceremony that Russia’s political, cultural, business, and film elite attended.
Russian president Vladimir Putin welcomed the festival, by saying that Moscow has turned into a capital for world cinema.
According to festival president Nikita Mikhalkov, the Moscow International Film Festival (MIFF) is defined by its respect for the artistic quest of filmmakers, irrespective of their cultural background. He announced that the Festival’s much coveted St. George Award would go to directors who, “use the medium of film to gain a deeper insight into the nature of the human soul,” Russian Observer quoted Mikhalkov as saying.
From June 21 – 30, more than two hundred films will be shown in Moscow’s cinemas, including fifteen films running for the prestigious St. George Award. Italy, the U.S., and Poland have films playing, as do newcomers Iran, Austria, Japan and Denmark.
After criticism last year that no Russian films were entered in the competition, this year there are three Russian entries: Kira Muratova’s “Chekhovian Motives”, Alexander Rogozhkin’s “The Cuckoo” and Roman Prigonov’s debut “The Solitude of Blood” – Albawaba.com
