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From Russia, with love...

26/Aug/2011

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Ruski cinema: Lucky Trouble, Kukuracha and The Edge. Ruski cinema: Lucky Trouble, Kukuracha and The Edge.

REWIND 10 years ago and viewing Russian films in an Australian cinema would have been unheard of.

Enter the Russian Resurrection Film Festival, which launched in Sydney and Melbourne in 2004 and has steadily grown to encompass all capital cities in Australia and become the largest festival of Russian films outside of Russia.

“In the first few years, it was really hard to secure films and negotiate deals with producers because the festival had no reputation but we now have the contacts which makes it much easier,” said Nicholas Makysmow, the festival's Sydney-born director and founder.

“The Russian film industry has also become considerably stronger over the past five to six years; more Russian films are now taking major prizes at international festivals around the world.”

It seems worlds apart from the pre-1989 Communist-era USSR, which saw tough censorship and a focus on propaganda films.

“Directors had to tow the party line, but now Russian directors are free to explore any subject matters,” Maksymow said.

“Art-house drama has become big in new Russian cinema and is the most prominent genre today.”

But like our own industry in Australia, the home-grown Russian industry faces fierce competition from Hollywood.

“Probably 85 per cent of theatrical releases are US films,” Maksymow said.

“Russian cinema has tried to bring back comedies of late with Timur Bekhmambetov taking it upon himself to produce one or two standout comedies a year.

“And it seems to be working - Lucky Trouble and Six Degrees of Celebration were both hits at the box office this year.”

This year's program - which highlights new and old cinema - covers drama, comedy, war, fantasy, 3D animation, thriller and art-house.

So, what are Maksymow's recommendations?

“Brest Fortress is arguably one of the best war films made anywhere in the world in the last 20 years; it's very realistic and harrowing,” he said.

“Stoker is a fantastic art-house film - a true example of new Russian cinema while Nutcracker in 3D is a lot of fun too, particularly the acclaimed British cast of Nathan Lane and Elle Fanning.”

The Russian Resurrection Film Festival 2011 is at Cinema Paradiso, Northbridge, from September 14-21.

Emilia Vranjes

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