Sokurov: Russian cinema will turn into a gray mass without international festivals

Director Alexander Sokurov said that Russian cinema could degrade if filmmakers do not have the opportunity to work with modern equipment and participate in international festivals. In his opinion, as a result, Russian cinema will turn into “one gray mass.”

“It may no longer exist, if only because it may plunge and fall into a pit of dullness and underdevelopment. If our filmmakers do not work with modern tools – new cameras, new measuring instruments, new lighting equipment, in new modern pavilions, new editing programs, there will be no training for our makeup specialists where they can do it, and where with it cope, there will be no participation in international film festivals – we will gradually degrade, and there will be no competition, ”said Alexander Sokurov to RIA Novosti.

Mr. Sokurov added that “the independent serious art of cinema, of course, may not exist.” In his opinion, as a result, there will be “one gray mass” in Russian cinema. “Young people need the freedom to create art,” he said.

Formerly RBC informedthat the president and government of Russia instructed the Lenfilm film studio to switch to Russian film equipment that is equivalent in terms of “technical characteristics and consumer properties.” The film studio was unable to fulfill the order, since such equipment is not produced in Russia.

Also this year, Russian filmmakers faced a ban on participation in international film festivals due to the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine. including was cancellations festival “Kinotavr” in Sochi because of the position of the organizers. One of them is Alexander Rodnyansky, he actively opposes the military conflict and supports Ukraine.

Olesya Pavlenko