On June 22, 2017, ahead of the 39th Moscow International Film Festival's opening ceremony, the showcase president, director, the head of Russia's Filmmakers' Union, Nikita Mikhalkov has held his traditional press briefing. 

 

Mikhalkov told journalists that 246 films will be shown at MIFF this year, compared to the last year's 175. The opening film will be the Indian movie 'Bahubali 2: The Conclusion'. The festival president explained that it's a box office hit, which has grossed $240 million. As for the competition screenings, Mikhalkov noted that MIFF still focuses on international premieres. «The festival programmers suggest the movies, they know the showcase's principles. I've never had any influence on what the selection commission offers, - it's their area of responsibility. The same goes for the jury members: no one at the helm of the festival has never attempted to influence their decision,» Mikhalkov emphasized. 

 

This year, three Russian films have been selected for MIFF main competition: 'Buy Me' by Vadim Perelman, 'The Bottomless Bag' by Rustam Khamdamov and 'Thawed Carp' by Vladimir Kott. 

 

«There was a moment in the history of our festival that there was not a single Russian picture worthy of participation. And the heads of the Ministry of Culture were asking how comes there aren't any national films. We can't use the fact that we host the festival to put our movies on the program. Now, in my opinion, the level of the Russian movies presented at the Moscow International Film Festival, is diverse, and they are of very high professional quality. At the same time, maybe they won't get the Saint George Grand Prix. You know very well what it cost for Chukhray [prominent Russian director, BAFTA awardee & Oscar nominee] to fight for the Grand Prix for Fellini's '8 ½', and not [the Soviet film] 'Let me introduce Baluev!' At the time, there was the agenda that Soviet movies should win under any conditions. We, on the other hand, are absolutely sincere and honest with our viewers. Despite the fact that our [Russian] movies are of very high quality, we won’t be influencing the jury decisions,» Mikhalkov noted. 

 

A question of foreign stars was raised during the briefing – specifically, why there haven't been a lot of them coming to MIFF lately. «Some of my friends – brilliant actors, directors – gracefully say that they are busy, other sincerely tell me that they are starting to shoot and might have issues coming. I can understand this. However, what makes me uncomfortable is being in such an area where your colleagues don’t risk to go, as politics takes more and more space,» Nikita Mikhalkov said. Nevertheless, it's this fact that allows to rely on oneself only. Also, this situation lets concentrate on cinema. «There are a lot of films, various films, numerous screenings [of each film], so people can watch a lot of movies over these 8-9 days, and get an overview of what's happening in the cinema world,» the MIFF president believes.  

 

He also reminded that at the closing ceremony, a special Moscow Mayor Prize 'For creating the image of Moscow in cinema' will be awarded. «The prizes are, honestly, very generous: 50 million rubles for the first place, 30 for the second, and 20 for the third,» Mikhalkov noted. The MIFF head also announced that the issue of the Festival Palace will soon will resolved. «The construction works are starting this fall. Everything is approved, signed, there is an investor, a project plan, there is a most comfortable location in Luzhniki, with a view to the Moscow river. Hopefully, it will all work out within 2-3 years,» Mikhalkov said.  

 

The 39th Moscow International Film Festival is taking place on June 22-29.