Russian Films in Armenia Now to be Screened at Military Bases

The second festival of Russian films in Armenia, which ran from Dec. 10–14, was more saturated with films and more fulfilling primarily because actors and directors who characterize bright, classic Russian cinema had come to Armenia, Viktor Krivopuskov, the Rossotrudnichestvo representative in Armenia and advisor to the Russian embassy in Armenia, told Epress.am. (Note, Rossotrudnichestvo is the “Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation,” a Russian federal government agency under the jurisdiction of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.)

It’s the second year that this event has been organized by the Filmmakers Union of Russia upon the initiative of the two countries’ culture ministries. This year’s festival in Yerevan featured films of various genres: a family comedy Mujskaya Jenskaya Igra (“Men’s Women’s Game”) directed by Maria Makhanko, the historical drama Zvezda Inperii (“Star of Empire”) by Evgeny Sokolov, another historical drama Yunkera directed by Igor Chernitsky, the melodrama Moy Papa Baryshnikov (“My Dad Baryshnikov”) by Dmitry Povolotsky, and the melodrama Ne Skazhu (“I Cannot Say”) by Igor Kopilov.

“Unfortunately, in Armenia there aren’t a significant number of movie theaters — there’s only the two. And in other cities outside of Yerevan, there are none. We get out of this situation with indirect support — through organizing screenings in university and school classrooms and halls.”

However, the most important, he says, is an agreement with the Secretary of the Filmmakers Union of Russia Sergei Novozhilov. “We agreed that in 2012, the Filmmakers Union will participate more actively in the Golden Apricot and other film festivals in Armenia.”

They have also planned to devote the fifth day of Russian Language Days in Armenia to Russian cinema. According to the Rossotrudnichestvo representative, this will allow the films to be viewed by a larger audience — as, for example, in military units.

“Of course, we won’t forget the border guards and soldiers of the 102nd Russian military base. At the border, Russian and Armenian guards serve together, so there’s no question. And of course for officers and staff of Armenia’s Armed Forces, because we know that they speak Russian. Together, we ensure the security of our countries and peoples, as both are CSTO and Collective Rapid Reaction Force members, which means that the Russian language is accessible as a language of communication among the CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States]. And I hope the films will support the strengthening of the Russian language among our friends in arms,” he concluded.