On August 5, the "2024 Russian Film Festival" was opened in Beijing, hosted by the China National Film Administration and the Russian Ministry of Culture, and organized by the China Film Archive, Russian ROSKINO Film Company, Jiangsu Provincial Film Administration, and Guangdong Provincial Film Administration. The seven films screened this time are diverse in genre and rich in subject matter, fully demonstrating the fruitful achievements of the Russian film industry in recent years.

Event site

Luo Yang, deputy director of the National Film Administration of China, and Davydenko, director of the Film and Digital Development Department of the Russian Ministry of Culture, delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. Sun Xianghui, director of the China Film Archive and director of the China Film Art Research Center, Zhang Jun, executive deputy director of the Publicity Department of the Hainan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, director of the Hainan Film Administration, and secretary-general of the Hainan Island International Film Festival Organizing Committee, Zhang Xuxia, secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of the China Film Archive, Liu Chun, deputy general manager of China Film Group and manager of China Film Import and Export Branch, Li Xuan, deputy director of the International Department of the Film Channel Program Center, and other Chinese representatives, as well as Antonova, general manager of the Russian State Film Company ROSKINO, Aksenov, director of the Russian Gosfilmofond Film Archive, Mastusova, executive director of the Russian Animation Film Association, Zlatoborsky, director of the International Sales Department of the Russian Central Partner Company, Kashirina, producer of the films "Red Silk" and "Abnormal", Shabanov, general manager and producer of the Russian Omnimedia Company, Chernyshev, head of cultural affairs of the Russian Embassy in China, and Urzhumtseva, director of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing, and other Russian representatives attended the event.

Russian filmmakers make collective appearance

Luo Yang said in his speech that 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. During President Putin's visit to China in May this year, China and Russia signed and issued a joint statement on deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in the new era on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, mentioning that the two sides will actively expand cultural cooperation between the two countries and promote cooperation in the field of film. This film exhibition screened a total of 7 Russian films with diverse genres and rich themes, which not only vividly displayed Russia's history, culture, customs and people, but also will further enhance Chinese audiences' understanding of Russia and deepen the friendship between the two peoples.

Davydenko said that holding the Russian Film Festival in China is a very rare and good opportunity. Russian creators can come to more Chinese cities, and more Chinese audiences will have in-depth contact with Russian culture and traditions. He believes that film cooperation between the two countries will become more frequent in the future, and the common cultural interests between the Russian and Chinese people will further increase.

At the event, Lukaszewski, director of the film Where the Cranes Dance, Kolomyz, director of the film The Light, Maslov, director of the film The Traveling Woman, and Gittes, executive producer of the film My Dear Monster, came on stage to promote their films. Afterwards, Chinese and Russian guests and audiences watched the opening film Where the Cranes Dance together.

Before the opening film screening, Director Lukaszewski said that in the eyes of Chinese friends, Russians are generally tall and burly. "I may not look like a Russian. In fact, Russia is vast. From west to east, there are nearly 200 ethnic groups living in different regions. I come from the eastern part of Russia. In my childhood memories, the movies of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan were our best companions. I hope that Russian movies can be seen by more Chinese audiences, and that the exchanges of cultural activities between us can be more frequent and closer. I also hope that everyone will like Where the White Cranes Dance."

2024 Russian Film Festival poster

It is reported that the "2024 Russian Film Festival" will be held in Beijing, Nanjing and Shenzhen from August 5 to 11. The Russian delegation will bring seven Russian masterpieces with diverse genres and rich themes, including "Where the White Cranes Dance", "The Man Who Commands the Wind", "Century Shuttle", "My Dear Monster", "Detective Jink", "Traveling Woman" and "Light", to meet audiences in the three places, show the Russian national culture and contemporary social outlook to Chinese audiences, and promote cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Russia.

Film Festival Film Introduction:

Where the White Cranes Dance

2024 | Where The White Cranes Dance

"Where the Cranes Dance" is based on a Siberian legend - a person who witnesses the dance of Siberian cranes will gain happiness and find inner peace and harmony. Vanya was unable to walk due to a back injury, so after leaving the hospital, he came to a family. This family brought Vanya family love and warmth, but the good times did not last long. His mother died after giving birth to a child, and Vanya had to face the pain of losing his mother. Perhaps only the dance of the Siberian cranes can temporarily reunite the family, and a fairy tale intertwined with cruel reality is about to unfold.

The Man Who Commands the Wind

2023 | Lord of The Wind

The film is adapted from the true legendary experience of Fyodor Konyukhov, a famous Russian explorer and record breaker. His unwavering passion for adventure prompted him to embark on a dangerous expedition: flying in a huge hot air balloon in the vast sky. Despite his family's opposition, he resolutely embarked on another journey to conquer the sky. Konyukhov, who has set 25 world records, plans to travel around the world in a hot air balloon in 11 days. Overcoming many difficulties and challenges, Konyukhov finally succeeded in fulfilling his dream and set a world record again. The film was nominated for five awards including the 2024 Russian "Golden Eagle Award" Best Visual Effects Award and Best Photography Award, and won the Best Original Score Award.

Century Shuttle

2024 | Guest from the Future

"Century Shuttle" is adapted from "One Hundred Years Later", one of the stories in the "She Came from the Future" series by Soviet writer Dirk Brechov. Kolya Gerasimov is an ordinary man who likes playing video games, rapping, hanging out with friends, and the last thing he cares about is the future. Until one day, he traveled to the world a hundred years later. Most importantly, Kolya met Alisha, a girl who is different from others, in the future. The original novel was remade into a five-episode TV mini-series in 1985 and is widely known. This latest version of the movie topped the Russian box office chart in its first weekend.

My Dear Monster

2021 | My Sweet Monster

"My Dear Monster" tells a unique story about a princess and a prince. A scandal occurred in the royal family: the willful princess Barbara ran away from the palace and went through the forest to find the handsome prince. However, her dream date was not her beloved prince, but the captive Booker, the most dangerous bandit in the kingdom. But soon the truth became clear, and the brave princess began her own adventure and established her own order in the forest. The film was nominated for the Special Jury Award at the 2023 Russian Animation Film Festival.

Detective Kink

2022 | Detective Chirp & The Golden Beehive

"Detective Jink" was nominated for the Special Jury Award at the 2023 Russian Animation Film Festival. On the eve of Bee Valley's biggest festival, the town's most precious treasure, the golden beehive, was stolen! The residents of Honey Valley feared a disaster after the theft of their idyllic town's lucky charm. Immediately, the assistant of the local chief detective, a little squirrel named Jink, was accused of committing the crime, and his boss, the owl detective Sophie, took over the case. The seemingly simple theft case seems to have an undercurrent. How can Jink and his partners solve this series of mysteries?

"Traveling Woman"

2023 | Off the Rails

"The Traveling Woman" is adapted from real events. After a series of changes, Anya Smolina decided to completely change her life. She rode a dusty old bicycle with her beloved dachshund Kappa, from Moscow to Magadan Oblast, across Russia to find her mother who she had not contacted for 13 years. Anya, who has lived in a big city for many years, did not know what difficulties and obstacles the next 10,000 kilometers of riding would bring. Elena Yakovleva, who won the Best Actress Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival for "The Woman in the Cracks", also performed brilliantly in this film and was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Award at the 2024 Russian "Golden Eagle Award".

"Light"

2023 | The Light

On her 60th birthday, the heroine Tatiana unexpectedly faces a past she has been trying to forget. This makes her look back and realize what kind of life she has lived. Many details of this film come from the director's own family life, which makes it more touching and sincere. This film with a unique female perspective brings a very amazing female ensemble, and Irina Yakovleva also has a brilliant performance.

Tickets for the Russian Film Festival went on sale at 12:00 noon on August 1 on the China Film Archive APP and Tao Piaopiao.