The first day of the 33rd Message to Man International Film Festival in St. Petersburg has arrived. Throughout the Festival, our website will provide daily insights and recommendations, guiding readers to the main screenings and events of each day.
The day in the city will commence with the first official events of the Festival. At 15:00 in the Grand Hall of Aurora, a press conference marks the opening of the 33rd Message to Man International Film Festival. The conference will be attended by the Festival President, director Alexei Uchitel and members of the international jury: Elizaveta Boyarskaya, Ji Huang, Chaitanya Tamhane.
In the evening of October 20 the official opening ceremony of the Message to Man IFF takes place at the Alexandrinsky’s Theatre New Stage. The event kicks off at 19:30, with guests gathering from 19:00. The ceremony will be broadcast on the Festival’s VK page.
The Book of Solutions. Opening film of the Festival. Russian premiere.
Mark, an unrecognized “genius director” battling bipolar disorder, believes that the producers are on the verge of ruining his new film and firing him. With the support of his team, Mark seizes control of the film footage and escapes to his beloved aunt’s countryside home. That is where he tries to complete the project. However, his irrepressible creative spirit takes over, and the lives of these hapless filmmakers descend into joyous chaos.
The latest creation by the renowned French director (known for films like Human Nature, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Science of Sleep, Be Kind Rewind, and Mood Indigo) marks his comeback to feature film following the major television project Kidding, a series starring Jim Carrey.
Friday, October 20: Schedule
Aurora, Small Hall,
60 Nevsky pr.
15:00 – Press conference to mark the opening of the 33rd Message to Man International Film Festival.
Aurora, Grand Hall,
60 Nevsky pr.
Opening film of the Festival
Superreal Cinema
16:30 The Book of Solutions, directed by Michel Gondry. France, 2023, 102 min
Alexandrinsky Theatre, New Stage,
Fontanka Embankment, 49A
19:30 – Opening ceremony of the Festival.
