Sokurov denied reports about the end of his directorial career – Kommersant

Russian film director Alexander Sokurov said that his words about ending his professional career were “taken out of context.” He emphasized that he did not announce the end of his directorial career, but only said that now he “does not have the opportunity to work in Russia.”

“I said that I don’t have the opportunity to work in Russia now. I don’t have the opportunity to film and I don’t have the opportunity to teach. That’s what I said. Conditions that are impossible for life and work are being created,” said Mr. Sokurov in a conversation with TASS. He emphasized that young directors in Russia now have it “even harder” than him.

Earlier News.ru and RBC publications with reference to the director reportedthat Alexander Sokurov is not currently working on new projects, since he is prohibited from making films in Russia. In October, the Ministry of Culture did not issue a distribution certificate for his film “Fairy Tale.” In justifying the refusal to issue a rental certificate for “Skazka,” the Ministry of Culture pointed to subparagraph “g” of paragraph 18 of the issuance rules approved by the government in 2016: “In other cases specified by federal laws.” Alexander Sokurov suggested that an “unspoken ban” would be imposed on the rest of his films.

Mr. Sokurov is a five-time participant in the Cannes Film Festival program and winner of the main prize at the 2011 Venice Film Festival. In 1995, the European Film Academy included him in the list of the hundred best directors of world cinema.

Alexander Kislov