On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the Romanov House, the city of Nice is hosting the first Russian Film Festival organized by Gosfilmofond. It will take place from June 14 to June 17, 2013, at the Cinémathèque of Nice and the Acropolis. This unprecedented event in France offers screenings of original films, in their original versions with French subtitles, from the archives of Russia’s State Film Fund. In this regard, the residents of Nice are invited to attend two free screenings on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m.
The first invitation concerns the opening ceremony of the 1st Russian Film Festival, this Friday, June 14, 2013, at 7:30 p.m., in the Apollon Room at the Acropolis Palace in Nice.
This ceremony will take place in the presence of Christian Estrosi, Deputy Mayor of Nice, President of the Metropolis Nice Côte d’Azur, Mr. Gerasimov, Deputy of the Russian Parliament, and Nikolai Borodachev, director of Gosfilmofond (central film archives in Russia).
It will be followed by the screening of Poor, Poor Paul, a widely acclaimed film by Vitaly Melnikov that tells the tragic story of Paul I, emperor of Russia and Grand Master of the Order of Malta, who fell victim to a conspiracy by his courtiers. Paul I is one of the most mysterious and brilliant figures in Russian history. The historical drama was filmed in the magnificent palaces of St. Petersburg with the participation of Russian film stars.
Best Actor: Oleg Yankovski, Russian Film Festival in Honfleur (France, 2003)
Best Actor: Victor Sukhorukov, Nika Award, Moscow (Russia, 2004)
Best Music: Andrei Petrov, National Russian Festival “Kinotavr”, Sochi (Russia, 2003)
POOR, POOR PAUL by Vitaly Melnikov.
Lenfilm Studio and Golos, 2003
Color, 105 minutes
Written and directed by Vitaly Melnikov.
Starring Victor Sukhorukov, Oleg Yankovski, Oksana Mysina.
The second invitation concerns the homage evening to Gérard Depardieu and the screening of the film Rasputin on Sunday, June 16, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. at the Acropolis.
Before the screening of this film in which he plays the mystical character of Rasputin, Gérard Depardieu will present it to the audience.
Rasputin (2011)
Directed by Josée Dayan.
Starring Gérard Depardieu, Fanny Ardant, Vladimir Mashkov, Filipp Yankovsky, Konstantin Khabensky.
This film takes us to a Russia plagued by doubt and turmoil. The arrival of the mystic Grigori Rasputin at the imperial court acts as an electric shock. When the strange healer saves the Tsars’ only son, suffering from a blood disorder, everyone cries miracle. Can Russia, and Rasputin himself, escape the tragedy that seems to come closer every day?
