A taste of Russian cinema

A Russian film festival will be held from May 28 to 30 at the National Film Corporation Cinema Hall, presented by the Cultural Section of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, the Russian Centre in Colombo. Films will be shown at 3pm and 5pm. The Russian Film Festival is taking place in Sri Lanka after 20 years and the festival consists of five Russian films and one Sri Lankan film to mark the closing ceremony of the festival. It will be a great opportunity for the cinema lovers to experience rich Russian culture and its cinema. Entrance is free.

Screening schedule

May 28th at 3pm
Belka and Strelka: mischievous little family
Animation - Russian computer animated TV series
Release: 2011
Directed by: Andrey Rubetskoy,
Ekaterina Shabanova,
Alexei Nekrasov

Summary:

Continuation of the famous story of "star" team of dog astronauts. Children of Proteins and Kazbek Charming Dean, Rex and nerdy bully Bagel dream to get to the spacecraft, as well as their parents. On the long path to the great goal of a mischievous little family waiting for funny situations, that challenges and dangerous adventures. But the close-knit trio proves that they, nor anyone else, deserve to fly into space.

May 28th at 5pm
The Empress and the robber
Release: 2009
Directed by: Ekaterina Toldonova
Summary:
The game's story tapes - a meeting of the Empress of Russia Catherine II (Ekaterina the Great) and the rebel Yemelian Pugachev, almost deprived of her throne. In real life, Pugachev and Catherine never met. The film is actually a kind of dialogue between the Empress and the rebel: Heroes of Toldonova talk about the relationship between people and power, and even find a common language. The director calls her film a philosophical parable - "thinking on the subject of our national identity." The film raises issues of mutual relations between power and the people, the possibility of building democracy in Russian Empire.

May 29th at 3pm
lYUBOV.RU
Release: 2008
Directed by:
Marina Suleymanova
Summary:
As the main hero of the film, Sasha, has everything: a beautiful bride, education from a prestigious university, good friends and talent. Sasha wrote music, but in search of poems for his music, he met on the Internet a girl-poet, which avoids the names and meetings. Virtual dialogue captures the hero so that he insists on this familiarity with the interlocutor. Rendezvous with the girl turns out to be a test for Sasha and change its ideas about relationships.

May 29th at 5pm
Destiny of a Man

Release: 1959
Direcred by: Sergei Bondarchuk
Summary:
Destiny of a Man is a 1959 Soviet film adaptation of the novel by Mikhail Sholokhov, and also the directorial debut of Sergei Bondarchuk. In the year of its release it won the Grand Prize at the Moscow Film Festival; Bondarchuk would win again for the first part of his colossal adaption of Tolstoy's War and Peace six years later. The story of a man (Andrey Sokolov) whose life was ruthlessly crippled by World War II. His wife and daughter were killed during the bombing of his village, he spent some time as a prisoner at Nazi's concentration camp, and his only son was killed in action only a few days before the victory...

May 30th at 3pm
Toy Seller
Release: 2012
Directed by: Yuri Vasiliev
Summary:
Nicolas Bercy - Frenchman with Russian roots. He lives in Paris and works as the seller of toys. Neither the mother nor French bride - the daughter of the king of Paris pastry (Pierre Richard) - does not approve of Nicolas eccentricities, because Sorbonne education allows him to make a fine career in business. Before Christmas, Nicolas went to Russia to learn more about his background. Who could have imagined that this trip would change his life? In Russia it for adventures, family treasures, and: true love.

May 30th at 5pm
Prathiroo
Sinhala Movie
Release: 2012
Directed by:
Dr. Kapila Sooriyaarachchi
Summary:
"PRATHIROO" (The Iconic Inspirations), is set in the rural backdrop of a village in the island. The story revolves around a courageous mother and a son and the bond towards their Motherland. The movie flows along with son's decisions and his attitudes towards his two mothers; the "Mother" who gave birth to him and his 'Motherland'."PRATHIROO" is the director's first Theatrical Feature Film for which he was awarded the 'Silver Remi Award' for the 'First Theatrical Feature Direction' at 45th Houston International WorldFest 2012, USA. Furthermore Dr. Kapila has directed his first film "Prathiroo" based on his own screenplay and became the first ever medical doctor to direct a feature film in history of Sri Lankan cinema.

Awards: 'Silver Remi Award' for the First Theatrical Feature Direction at 45th Houston International WorldFest 2012, USA
Starring: Dr. Malani Fonseka, Jagath Benaragama, Veena Jayakody, Joe Abeywickrama, Sriyantha Mendis, Palitha Silva, Giriraj Kawshalya, Jagath Chamila, Sujeewa Priyalal, Himali Sayurangi, Darmapriya Dias, Wijerathne Warakagoda, Damayanthie Fonseka.