We compile in one place the materials published by Russian media that highlight the films in the Festival programme.
A detailed guide from MostMag dissects the favorites in the competition programmes, and the author’s choice emphasizes the diversity of genres within the Festival’s lineup. This includes The Smile by Erik van Schaaik (an animated film about a crocodile actor), Yana Reynson’s Circus (reminiscent of Joy from a few years ago, another film revolving around a circus), and an essay about a baby’s thoughts in the modern world (How To Express It from the In Silico competition).
Russkoye Kino v Tope, a Telegram channel dedicated to cinema, highlights in its summary the triumphant film of Mayak festival in Gelendzhik: Intermission by Anna Kuznetsova. The channel’s authors also bring attention to two upcoming screenings: The Architect, a film about Alexei German Sr. on October 22, and the exclusive presentation of episodes 5 and 6 of the MMA project The Big Fight with producer Sergei Bondarchuk at Dom Kino.
Notably, almost a month before its Russian cinema release, the St. Petersburg audience will be the first to see a new film by Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Mood Indigo) called The Book of Solutions, as highlighted by Kino TV. The film’s protagonist, 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. Amid the ensuing chaos, he attempts to complete the project.
The website Posle Titrov covers the Festival’s rich programme in four articles, providing separate insights into the documentary film section, international competition, out-of-competition programme, and special screenings.
Meanwhile, the St. Petersburg Culture web portal details the screening of the film Chronicle of Reality, set for October 22.
This film delves into the history of non-fiction cinema in Leningrad/St. Petersburg and features rare footage of documentary filmmakers from the legendary LenDoc studio. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the director, Pavel Medvedev.
