The jury of the Main Competition of 47th Moscow International Film Festival, which includes the actress Maryana Spivak (Russia), the actor, director and producer John Robinson (USA), the director, screenwriter, producer Cornel Gheorghita (Romania, France), the actress, singer, TV presenter Bushra (Egypt, Great Britain), the director and screenwriter Aleksey German Jr. (Russia), and the chair of the jury, producer, director, script writer Lluís Miñarro (Spain), shared their impressions about participating in the work of the Festival and the criteria for the scoring of winners.
Lluís Miñarro: "Russia is very close to me for many reasons and it is a great honour to be part of the jury at the Festival. I have been here several times presenting my directorial works and I can compare the screenings of my films with other festivals. In Moscow, the audience showed a truly sincere response to my films. And I would like to express my appreciation of the Soviet and Russian cinematographies, which immensely contributed to the development of world cinema".
Bushra: "Russia and Egypt are very much alike, we even have a similar proverb to what you have, which is "Don't whistle, or you won't have any money" and we also celebrate Christmas. That is why for me it is a great honor to be in Russia and watch Russian films. Even during my first days in Moscow I noticed that Russian people are kind and positive to foreigners coming from various countries".
John Robinson: "I have wanted to visit Russia since my childhood and for me it is a great honor that I represent my country here at a special moment. I decided to come here not immediately: I had my concerns, as I am still a person from the West, but I wanted to understand people living in Russia better and figure out what I am afraid of. I am deeply pleased to participate in Moscow Film Festival and to meet new friends: I feel unity, respect and true human decency in everyone".
Cornel Gheorghita: "I grew up in Romania and from Soviet cinema I always took my references, the basis for my films, one of which I presented here two years ago, and it even helped me study the Russian alphabet. I very much regret that today cinema from a cultural phenomenon turns into a political tool, which limits many movements. For example, in recent years, I have had almost no access to modern Russian cinema, which is very sad".
Aleksey German Jr.: "It seems to me that judging is very easy: a good film is better than a bad one and you need to vote honestly without reference to the production country. A film festival is a competition of art, excellence and sincerity. And a good film always deserves a prize".
Maryana Spivak: "For the first time, I have the honor to be in the jury, especially of an international film festival. It is a great responsibility for me! We will judge films honestly and with no reference to an attribution to one country or another. I agree with Aleksey that a film festival is an art competition, which should touch a chord in our heart".
Lluís Miñarro: "Russia is very close to me for many reasons and it is a great honour to be part of the jury at the Festival. I have been here several times presenting my directorial works and I can compare the screenings of my films with other festivals. In Moscow, the audience showed a truly sincere response to my films. And I would like to express my appreciation of the Soviet and Russian cinematographies, which immensely contributed to the development of world cinema".
Bushra: "Russia and Egypt are very much alike, we even have a similar proverb to what you have, which is "Don't whistle, or you won't have any money" and we also celebrate Christmas. That is why for me it is a great honor to be in Russia and watch Russian films. Even during my first days in Moscow I noticed that Russian people are kind and positive to foreigners coming from various countries".
John Robinson: "I have wanted to visit Russia since my childhood and for me it is a great honor that I represent my country here at a special moment. I decided to come here not immediately: I had my concerns, as I am still a person from the West, but I wanted to understand people living in Russia better and figure out what I am afraid of. I am deeply pleased to participate in Moscow Film Festival and to meet new friends: I feel unity, respect and true human decency in everyone".
Cornel Gheorghita: "I grew up in Romania and from Soviet cinema I always took my references, the basis for my films, one of which I presented here two years ago, and it even helped me study the Russian alphabet. I very much regret that today cinema from a cultural phenomenon turns into a political tool, which limits many movements. For example, in recent years, I have had almost no access to modern Russian cinema, which is very sad".
Aleksey German Jr.: "It seems to me that judging is very easy: a good film is better than a bad one and you need to vote honestly without reference to the production country. A film festival is a competition of art, excellence and sincerity. And a good film always deserves a prize".
Maryana Spivak: "For the first time, I have the honor to be in the jury, especially of an international film festival. It is a great responsibility for me! We will judge films honestly and with no reference to an attribution to one country or another. I agree with Aleksey that a film festival is an art competition, which should touch a chord in our heart".