Maria Lemesheva: The national cinema has proved that it is popular abroad

Maria Lemesheva, editor-in-chief of the first in Russia glossy magazine about cinema “KinoReporter” (Cinema Reporter), highlighted the importance of the award, which was granted to Andrei Konchalovsky’s drama “Dear Comrades!” at the 77th Venice International Film Festival.

The jury, led by Australian actress Cate Blanchett, awarded the film with a special prize. The film features the tragedy of 1962 – the shooting of a demonstration of workers in Novocherkassk.

The editor-in-chief of “KinoReporter” stressed that the new film of the famous master of national cinema was highly appreciated at the prestigious festival for its deep artistic understanding of the events of the Soviet era: “This is a serious author’s statement by Andrei Konchalovsky, who managed to take the film outside of politics, make the story transnational and cross-border in the spirit of ancient tragedy. By the way, according to the director, he was inspired by the myths of Medea and Antigone – perhaps the most difficult fates described by the ancient Greeks. It is worth noting that today women are leaders in all spheres, and therefore it is no coincidence that historical events that took place in the past are shown in “Dear Comrades!” through the perception of the female character. Konchalovsky again conquered Venice and brought an important trophy to the treasury of the achievements of Russian cinema, which once again proved that it is popular and noticed in the international arena.”

Andrei Konchalovsky received the most significant awards at the Venice Film Festival for the films “The Boy and the Dove” (1962), “White Nights of the Postman Alexei Tryapitsyn” (2014) and “Paradise” (2016). In 2002, the drama “House of Fools” won the Grand Prix of the Festival, which is the second most important award.