Make way for young “VOICES”

A red runner in front of “Lenkom” cinema, persons famous not only in Russia but abroad – everything is in the best traditions of world film festivals. So, a ceremonial opening of the International festival of young European cinema “VOICES” started on July 4, 2010. The organizers of the festival are Vologda Oblast Government and Governor Vyacheslav Pozgalev, Vologda city administration, Vologda Mayor Evgeny Shulepov, Ministry for Culture of the Russian Federation under the support of the Ministry of culture and communications of France. On the French part ID-reel company together with Igor Lysenko took part. The festival is supported by Embassy of France in Russia.

The festival is included in the official calendar of the Year of France in Russia that is why the main part of the festival will be devoted to the French cinematography.

“VOICES” festival opens new European film directors to Russia. A special feature of the competition are film directors-debutants who will demonstrate their first or second pictures. These are young initiative people from different countries – Russia, France, Denmark, Poland, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Ukraine, Germany and Belgium. These ten pictures will be appraised by a competent jury headed by film director Sergey Bodrov.

Besides a competition program Vologda and Cherepovets residents and guests during five days of the festival may see several pictures that are out-of-competition.

Vologda Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Pozgalev greeted all those present in “Lenkom” cinema: “There is such an opinion that Vologda is an ancient patriarchy city where cows walk to the ringing of church bells and old women in sundresses touch the bubbles. And it’s really so in some way. Really Vologda is an ancient city. But it has got a lucky fortune and by the time it changes and becomes younger, more beautiful and cozy. In Vologda many young ambitious people live carrying various interesting ideas. The whole Russia today is changing its image becoming younger and more energetic. Even yesterday in Vologda “Voices of History” finished talking and today “Voices” of the young will sound. “VOICES” are voices of the future, voices of the young.”

Among world known guests Pierre Richard was expected but unfortunately the actor couldn’t take part in the festival because of taking new film but he sent his address specially recorded for the opening ceremony” “It’s hard to be indifferent to the expressions of such passionate love like in Russia, I never stop surprising. How to explain the emotions, this adoration that people experience to me? I sometimes ask myself about this and realize that all this thanks to my pictures and their success. In comparison with other countries they say “thank you” to actors in Russia but not “bravo”. And this is a big difference! What is an actor? He is who gives joy to people. And when they thank me I realize that I fulfilled my actor’s duty, that I do my work well. Thanks to these people I feel that I give something very important. Though I don’t have a Russian soul but I feel it. It doesn’t mean that I understand it but I feel its boundlessness. Russian people have no bounders -nor in happiness, nor in grief, they are boundless in their expression of feelings. And its’ always fantastic! I worship it! I think that the festival is a good idea and it’s good that it will take place in Vologda. In France we see Russian pictures very seldom. Even in Paris they are demonstrated very rare and in provinces even less. It seems that it is a common situation in the world – American films force out the rest ones. That is why it’s good that it is decided to hold such a festival in Vologda. I wish a great success to the festival which really deserves it as it is one more possibility to declare that not only American films exist in the world. It’s a pity that I couldn’t come but I join you with all my heart.”

One more greeting came from film director Roman Polanski that was announced by Andrey Khalpakhkchi. After the opening ceremony a picture by Roman Polanski “The Ghost” was demonstrated. At the Berlin film festival in 2010 this picture was awarded to “Silver Bear” prize as the best film director work.

Irina Sorokina