‘Glasnost’ at Russian film festival

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 30

‘Glasnost’ at Russian film festival

hans petrovic

In the spirit of the Russian Ffremiere Mikhail Gorbachev’s new policy of “glasnost,” or openness, six outstanding films from, that Country will be screened at the Avon during thp coining week. They are: (j ! “Moscow Doe? Not Believe ih Tears,” American Academy Award winner for lies: foreign film, tomorrow, 2.30, 5.30 and:B.3o p.m. [Two young girls embark [up m life in the bustling (fit) of Moscow. This coripellingly fascinating, [ bitter-sweet story I embrace s their youthful aspirati ins, trials and through to the complexities ;Of adulthood. [Wonderfully entertaining | (throughout and an; intriguing insight into the lifestyles of Moscow. | r l ! 1-1 “Come and See,” Gold Prize 1085 Most ow Internationa 1 Film Festival, Saturday, 2.30, 5.30 and 8.30 p m.; Sunday, 7.45 p.m.: A poweifuj portrayal of the Nazi invasion (of Russia, described as “a : devastating masterpiece, a work of greajt and ter-; rible cinematic poetry,” The title is- not so much an invitation 4 s a sum_ mons to a complacent world to stand up and take notice of [what happened. j - 8 ' /:' | “Dead Men’s Letters,” Grand PHz-e 1987 Mannheim, Monday, 5.30 and 8115 p.m]: Russia’s version of “The Day After,”) following a nuclear accident. A harrowing] and| [supremely compelling | anti-nuclear statement which also manages ’to be! a film [of supreme I artistry, i lit should | not be missed by anyone who cares for the future of this planet.

“The Trans-Siberian Express,” Tuesday, 5.30 and 8.15 p.m.: (Excitement and suspense liberally lacep with Hcpmedy in a Russian , version of a James; Bond [ adventure. The plot twists and turns witp the express as it weaves its! way across Europe. Secret agents and double agents | abound in an atmosphere— of international | intrigue, political blackmail and mur'der. “Fouette,” Wednesday,

5.30 and 8.15 p.lm.: The life of a prominent dancer, her complex artistic career intertwined with- personal aspirations. Disappointments’ | and triumphs amidst the highly competitive atmosphere of ballet, where excellence is the only ! criteria. J I “Wartime Romance,” | First Prize 1984 Berlin I Film Festival, Thursday, 5.30 and 8.15 p.m.: An ! engagingly warm and humorous storyj of a ; former soldier (who en- ; counters a girl whom he | admired and | secretly i loved when they[ were at the front together in World War it. Their chance meeting | enriches both their lives. | These films have been I i ri i brought to Christchurch by John Hart through is distribution company, Cul-

tural and Educational Exhibitions', Ltd, which!! has been screening similar Russian [festivals in. Auckland for the past 1 live years.; I | h| : Mr ; Hart and his Wife, Heather, have been I attending - international!! festivals Eurbpe for 110 years. Their distribution company | irtipprts arid distributes films from many [countries, especially France, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Germany find Great Britain. ( In [l9Bl, they f/rstj at; tended the Moscow International Film Festival, and in 1983, the company was appointed the .official New Zealand-Pacific Island representative of Sovexportfilm. | [ ; i I The Soviet Union conducts the Moscow international Film Festival every second year, alter- !

nating. with an inter?: national film [festival! in Tashkent, which Mr | and: Mrs Hart intend to attend! in May. . ■’ | Mr Hart says that dur l ling i their annual visits td itie| [Soviet Union from 'lOB3 to 87, theyihave seei) [considerable changes takr ;iiig| ; ! place, phrticularly within the Soviet film in- ■ dustry, which is i now engaged in i establishing accords; with film! industries in! the West . Mr Hart first met [Elim Klimov, the director of ['Come and See,” in| 1985 at the closing ceremony of the Moscow Film Fes? tival. Mr Klimov received the Gold Prize for this [film, 1 while Mr Hart ac-, cepted on behalf of New Zealand the first ! J prize in the junior section for "The . Silent One." I : : .