On April 20, 2023, the opening ceremony of the 45th Moscow International Film Festival took place in the Rossiya Theater. The Festival will work until April 27.
In the run-up to the ceremony, the director, Head of the Russian Union of Cinematographers Nikita Mikhalkov held a traditional briefing. He said that 222 films from 64 countries would be shown at the MIFF this year. Notably, the production of 61 films involved European Union countries. Besides Russian participants, 128 guests from 35 countries arrived to attend the Festival.
"Any crises open new opportunities, becoming both a period of losses and acquisitions. Just recently I watched "The Triangle of Sadness", which made the same impression on me as "The Square" of the same director Ruben Östlund, who, by the way, was discovered with MIFF's involvement. In these films, I see a sensible view on what's going on. And this inspires me and gives me hope. Speaking about acquisitions, one can have different opinions of "The Cheburashka", but this is the film people want to watch. The film "Vyzov" (Challenge) is going to be released soon, I haven't seen it yet. But this is an unmatched experience, a unique film made by our country. Right in space, in the orbit! And if this does happen, it means there this quest for new things, which drives the cinema forward", Nikita Mikhalkov noted.
Among those walking down the red carpet leading to the theater were jury members, the participants of the competition programs, the shooting team of the opening film "Bullfinch", the directors Svetlana Druzhinina, Andrey Kravchuk, Ilya Uchitel, Pyotr Buslov, the actors Mikhail Troynik, Olesya Sudzilovskaya, Irina Gorbacheva, Anna Peskova, Kuzma Saprykin, Kirill Zaitsev, Kristina Asmus, Gleb Kaluzhnyy, Svetlana Stepankovskaya, Mariya Shumakova, Yuliya Volkova, Nastasya Samburskaya, Elena Podkaminskaya, Ekaterina Guseva, Lyanka Gryu, Daria Poverennova, Elizaveta Ischenko, Masha Lobanova, the TV presenter Elena Letuchaya, the blogger Ida Galich.
Vladimir Medinsky, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation, spoke at the beginning of the ceremony. He read out a welcome address from Vladimir Putin.
"For many years, the renowned Moscow Film Festival has been rightfully considered a big, anticipated event for cinema professionals and film fans. It is famous for its cordiality and hospitality, special, festive atmosphere, famous names of participants and, of course, it offers a genuine creative avenue for business contacts and friendly networking among recognized masters and young directors, scriptwriters, actors", says the welcome message by the President of the Russian Federation.
Vladimir Medinsky admitted that "in our world, when everything changes, it is welcoming we have such a "safe haven" as Moscow Film Festival, which stays unchanged and stable, and reconciles in many ways".
The opening ceremony featured a video about the MIFF history. The actor Egor Beroev hosted the ceremony. He presented the prizes of the Festival crafted by Mercury Jewelry Company, the competition programs of the show, and the jury. Short films will be judged by the filmmaker from Bangladesh Juboraj Shamim, the Russian actress Alyona Babenko and the Italian actor, director and screenwriter Giorgio Cugno. The best documentary film will be chosen by the Russian director Yulia Sergina, the Korean poet, film critic, producer and director Kim Jigong, and one of the leading Chinese directors, Bachelor of History, Master of Literature, member of the China Film Association Hao Yun. The jury of the youngest Russian Premieres competition, which appeared at MIFF only last year, included the actress Anna Snatkina, the scriptwriter and producer Andrey Zolotarev, and the director Alexey Uchitel.
The Main Competition of the MIFF will feature 11 films from 16 countries including co-production projects. "Saint Georges" for acting and directing, the special prize and the main prize for the best film will be nominated by the jury consisting of the Russian actress Svetlana Ivanova, the Kazakh actress Samal Yeslyamova, the Russian actor and producer Aleksey Guskov and the Colombian director Ciro Guerra. Rahul Rawail, one of the top Indian filmmakers, is the Chair of the Main Competition jury. Traditionally, the MIFF President Nikita Mikhalkov, presented him with a traditional chain with the image of St. George the Victorious.
"Our Prime Minister Narenda Modi, who has a special relationship with Russia, decided to make India a key player in the international arena, which led to India's chairmanship at BRICS and SCO. Our esteemed Minister of Information and Broadcasting hosted the SCO and BRICS festivals. I was the jury chair at both festivals and my colleagues were the MIFF selection experts Ivan Kudryavtsev and Nina Kochelyaeva. Today I stand before you as Chair of the Jury of the Moscow International Film Festival and I am proud of this opportunity. All the more so because the MIFF President is the talented and recognized artist Nikita Mikhalkov. My fellow jury members are outstanding filmmakers. Together we will do our best to assign the awards as best as we can", said Rahul Rawail and together with Nikita Mikhalkov declared the 45th Moscow International Film Festival open.
MIFF President Nikita Mikhalkov awarded Irina Kupchenko with the first prize of the Festival "I believe! Konstantin Stanislavsky" for outstanding excellence in acting and commitment to the principles of Stanislavsky's school.
"All violins look alike, but there are violins by Stradivarius, and this is about Irina Kupchenko. She is not always recognized in the street, but this helps her be absolutely anything, without compromising her personal views", said Nikita Mikhalkov.
"This award has a loud title, which causes both delusion of grandeur and an inferiority complex. And I know for sure that, professionally, I am the product of the efforts of lots of people. They are the authors of the words I speak in cinema, the directors whose ideas I try to embody, and the partners to whom I am grateful for every minute we spend together. But my biggest thanks goes to the audience. Because without you, we, actors, are just nobody! A writer can write for the drawer, a painter can put paintings away hoping someone will see them someday, and only actors need real people in the audience", underlined Irina Kupchenko receiving the award.
The 45th Moscow International Film Festival will take place until April 27.
MERCURY JEWELLERY – OFFICIAL PARTNER OF THE 45TH MOSCOW INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Mercury Jewellery becomes a partner of the Moscow International Film Festival, continuing the tradition of supporting the most significant cultural events in Russia.
Mercury Jewellery created the main prizes of the film festival – figurines depicting St. George riding a silver horse, striking a dragon with a spear. The figure of the «Golden George» is made of gold plated silver and the figure of the «Silver George» is made of silver. The base of the figurine is made of a blue elvan stone, on which the golden Mercury logo is.
«Golden George» is awarded for «The best film of the competition program» and «For contribution to the world cinema». The winners in seven nominated programs are awarded «Silver George».
As a mark of respect and recognition of the special chairman’s jury role of the Moscow International Film Festival, Mercury Jewellery has created a chain with three gold plated silver medallions depicting the main symbols of Moscow – the Spasskaya Tower, St. Basil's Cathedral and St. George.
A special prize for conquering the peaks of acting and fidelity to school of K. S. Stanislavsky principles «I believe. Konstantin Stanislavsky» has the original design.
Mercury Jewellery brand is known for its elegant and classic jewelry design, high-quality gemstones with international certification, as well as the skillful work of its gemologists, gemsetters and goldsmiths. All Mercury jewels are made of gold and gemstones: diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds. The brand's collection proudly contains unique precious stones and high jewellery pieces. All gemstones are internationally certified, the jewellery is accompanied by a Mercury’s certificate of authenticity.