History of the Moscow Film Festival
Its history dates back to 1935. Then the chairman of the jury - Sergei Eisenstein managed to collect competitive films from 21 countries. The first place was given to Soviet films - Chapaev, Maxim's Youth, Peasants. But the cartoon of the legendary Walt Disney was in third place.
The next time the MIFF was held only in 1959, then the initiative belonged to Ekaterina Furtseva.
Since 1999, the event has become an annual event. Despite the serious crisis in the 90s, the reduction in funding and the reduction in the number of participants, the film festival managed to survive. Now he is actively supported by the Russian government. The event attracts international attention, and many eminent filmmakers dream of the statue of "Saint George".
Top officials
For more than 10 years, the permanent director of the film festival is Nikita Mikhalkov, and Natalia Semina, the general director. In 2015, the jury will be headed by the Russian director Gleb Panfilov.
The Selection Commission was rejuvenated in 2015, now it includes Russian and international film critics. Andrey Plakhov becomes the chairman.
Participants of the MIFF-2015
The jury, as well as the program of the 37th film festival, will be known in early June. Details you can find on the official website: http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/
In 2014, the jury included actress from Germany Francesca Petri, Moorish director Abderahman Sissako, director from Georgia Levan Koguashvili and French producer Laurent Danil.
Prizes and awards of the Moscow Film Festival
The symbol of the International Moscow Film Festival was a statuette of "Saint George". It is worth noting that in 2014 it was transformed. Over the external appearance worked as a jeweler of the firm Virtuti - Manuel Carrera Cordon.
Now this is a real work of art: on the basis of green marble we see a finely gilded column, crowned by a filigree figure of a saint striking the enemy. Covering the statuette is the highest gold. The main prize of the main competition is awarded for the best film.
In addition, there are other nominations:
- Best male role.
- The best female role.
- Special Jury Prize.
- The best short film.
- The best documentary.
A special award is awarded for outstanding achievements in the development of acting and directing skills. It is dedicated to the memory of the great Stanislavsky, is called: "I believe. Konstantin Stanislavsky ยป.
What films can take part in the Moscow Film Festival?
Within the framework of the International Moscow Film Festival, there are several main areas, namely:
- The main competition
- Competition of documentary
- Competition of short films.
- Out-of-competition display.
- Retrospective show.
- The program of Russian cinema.
Requirements for participating paintings in 2015 have not changed. They are not too complicated:
- The picture must be full-length (except the short film program).
- The film is presented in the original language, but it is duplicated with the help of English subtitles.
- The film should not be broadcast earlier in the territory of the Russian Federation.
- Preference is given to novelties.
Financing and crisis
In the midst of the economic crisis, when government spending fell by 10%, the amount allocated for holding the MIFF-2015 remained the same and amounted to 115 million rubles. Nevertheless, according to the director of the festival - Kirill Rogozov, this money is not enough to hold the contest program in full, as it was in previous years. Nikita Mikhalkov is actively looking for sponsors. But it is likely that the share of contributions will decrease significantly. The result - the festival will be shorter by two days, and the films will be shown less. Let's hope that the quality of films will not affect the reduction of funds.
Program 37 of the International Moscow Film Festival
It's still early to talk about the festival program and films submitted for the contest, it will be known only in the beginning of June.
Traditionally, there are 3 competitions: the main, short and documentary films. In 2014, 16 paintings claimed for the prizes of the main competition, and in 2015 - only 12. Fortunately, the number of documentary films did not change, they are still 7. Special attention of viewers was always attracted by the "Free Thought" program. The organizers try to leave it in full.
Despite all the efforts of the festival's directorate, the lack of funds affected the number of works submitted: their number decreased from 250 to 150.
International guests
In connection with the political situation in Ukraine, with the introduction of economic sanctions from the West against Russia, a rather cool attitude of foreign colleagues towards the Moscow International Film Festival is observed. So in 2014, at the opening of the festival, foreign guests did not appear. Even the beloved Gerard Depardieu ignored one of the most important events of the year. Nevertheless, the opening took place at a very high level and gathered all Russian actors, producers, directors and other media people. At the shows, you could see Brad Pitt.
In 2015, the situation only worsened. The organizers of the festival noted that they invited Ukrainian and Western colleagues, but whether they will be present is still unknown. It is planned to attract foreign companies that will be able to ensure participation of foreign paintings in an out-of-competition program. So far there have been no answers.
How to get to the International Moscow Film Festival
To get to the festival does not necessarily have to be a world celebrity, most importantly, a desire. The simplest option is to buy a ticket. Do this in advance, the number of them is limited. Look for the sites bilet2u or biletservice, but be prepared that for a ticket to the opening ceremony you will pay a considerable sum.
For competitive shows to get much easier, because tickets are freely sold at the box office. If you did not buy them ahead of time, then come an hour before the event, most likely, you will be able to find a free place at an affordable price.
What else is famous for the International Moscow Film Festival?
Even people very far from art are happy to watch the opening and closing ceremonies of the Moscow Film Festival. The passage of Russian and Western stars on the red carpet is a grand fashion show, as well as the opportunity to show the world their new husband / wife, children, etc. The Paparazzi and the audience are happy to watch all the failures and victories of the red carpet. So in 2014 Ravshan Kurkova and Anna Chipovskaya distinguished themselves. Both of them became the embodiment of elegance and exquisite taste. The first dressed in a luxurious flying dress sky-blue, and the second - chose a gingerly gently pink outfit with an accent on the waist.
The motives for gossip were the transparent guipure outfit of Marat Basharov's wife - Catherine Arkharova; an elaborate and slightly theatrical dress of Anastasia Makeeva; asymmetric hem of Catherine Spitz and leopard print of Catherine Vilkova.
But the most discussed outfit of the evening was the "furry" dress of Maria Kozhevnikova. The asymmetrical hem of the dress was trimmed with strange material, which at first glance can be mistaken for fur. In fact, the blue-gray toilet was decorated with feathers. It looked strange and unnatural.
We hope that this year the stars will take into account all their mistakes and will be able to find worthy and elegant things.
The Moscow Film Festival is a landmark event for the national culture. Despite the difficulties (mainly financial), Russian cinema continues to live and remain competitive. During the crisis and complex political and economic relations, the Russian audience needs a holiday, we hope that he will receive it. And what films would you like to see?
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