On April 22, the Moscow International Film Festival began at many venues in the capital, and, despite the fact that nothing has passed since the last festival - some six months, we have already managed to miss fresh film statements. There is no doubt that they, the film statements, are exactly like this: the film industry, like all of us, this year was notably shocked in a zone of turbulence, the directors could not help but react to this. The festival program includes both the sensational Romanian comedy in Berlin with a provocative title and plot "Inappropriate Fuck, or Crazy Porn", and one of the best films by Francois Truffaut "Jules and Jim". We have selected for you the top 10 must-haves - well, or highly recommended - for watching movies.
1. "Bistro", dir. Mika Ninagawa
The third full-length film by renowned Japanese photographer and director Mika Ninagawa, presented in the show with the loud title "Filmmakers of Our Time", will tell about the unusual workers and habitués of the bistro and their criminal adventures. Ninagawa's debut film was shown at the Berlinale, and the 2012 film Helter Skelter was a box office hit in Japan. Well, apparently, we are in for a driving Japanese action game, the visual component of which is beyond doubt.
2. "Durov", dir. Rodion Chepel
The first biographical documentary about the founder of the Telegram messenger and the VKontakte social network. According to the director, the hero himself did not interfere in the filming process, provided access to what was happening in his company, and after watching, he completely accepted the picture. Durov is one of the most secretive and controversial personalities in the modern media space, which is certainly interesting to watch. Rodion Chepel in his painting tried to collect a portrait of the hero from the memories and stories of relatives and colleagues and to open the veil of secrecy.
The film was presented in the competition program of documentary films.
3. "The Last" Sweet Bulgaria ", dir. Alexey Fedorchenko
The long-awaited film by the eminent Ural director based on the story "Before the Sunrise" by M. Zoshchenko. Do not be deceived by Bulgaria in the name of the picture, in fact, this is a variety of apples, and the story itself unfolds in Alma-Ata at the beginning of the twentieth century, where a young breeder is trying to revive this very variety. In addition to apples, you can see Zoshchenko himself in the film, as well as Eisenstein. Films by Alexei Fedorchenko are always a high-profile event in the domestic film industry, let us remember, for example, "Anna's War", which has collected a scattering of awards at Russian film festivals.
The film is a participant in the main competition.
4. "Bad Fuck, or Crazy Porn", dir. Radu Jude
The new film of the Romanian experimental director became a triumphant at the Berlinale ("The Golden Bear") and finally made it to Russia. The story tells of a schoolteacher whose sex tape leaked online and jeopardized her career. The film was filmed in the midst of a pandemic, which did not prevent the film, rather, on the contrary, allowed to concentrate all forces on history. The film will be released in Russia, but possibly in a censored version, so we heartily recommend watching it at the Moscow Film Festival in the Films That Were Not Here program.
5. "Cryptopolis", dir. Dash Show
An animated film about the American 70s, where a hunt for mythical creatures unfolds against the backdrop of free love and the war in Vietnam. The film touches upon the problems of ecology, otherness, social inequality … But what are they just not touched upon! But still, the visual language remains the main thing: Dash Shaw is a great artist, perhaps crazy, let's leave it to you. Like the previous tape, "Cryptopolis" can be seen as part of the "Films That Were Not Here" program.
6. "Bloodsuckers", dir. Julian Radlmeier
Julian is a very interesting director, little known in Russia, or rather, known in narrow circles, more and more Marxist. This is not surprising, because almost all the heroes of his films dream of the victory of communism. This year, hopefully, the general public will also learn about it - the film is planned for domestic distribution in the summer. The story tells the story of an unlucky Soviet actor who was "lucky" to play Trotsky at the wrong time and who is now forced to flee to Germany for the Baltic Sea resorts, but here too bad luck - bloodsuckers await him at sea. If you do not have enough absurdity and irony in life, which is unlikely, but still go to this wonderful film - a participant in the main competition.
7. "Tove", dir. Zaida Bergroth
This biopic is a Finnish filmmaker and tells about the early years of the life of the cult writer Tove Jansson. This is the story of the author's formation, the love story of two talented women, as well as the story of the creation of an ingenious book series about Moomin trolls. Zaida Bergroth has established herself as an excellent director with her previous works ("The Good Son"), the new film will not disappoint you either.
The painting is shown as part of the World of Arts program.
8. "Empire of Senses", dir. Nashila Oshima
Kirill Razlogov, the program director of the film festival, has put together a wonderful and very personal program this year - “Kirill Razlogov. Films of my life”. There are two films from it on our list, but, of course, we advise you to watch it all. The first film is a great love story, a cult film, awarded at many film festivals, included in the list of the 100 best films in the world according to a poll by FIPRESCI and banned in many countries for screening. Shocking erotic scenes can still shock especially susceptible viewers, but hardly anyone else has succeeded in showing passion more accurately and stronger on the screen.
9. "Immortalist", dir. Vlad Kozlov
Feature-length debut of a US-Russian director with a star-studded cast of Franco Nero and Sherilyn Fenn (Twin Peaks), featured in Isolation. As the name implies, the film reveals the theme of immortality, body or soul - it's up to everyone to decide for themselves. The plot tells the story of a young employee of an anti-aging company who decides to save his grandfather dying of cancer by cryopreservation, but, unfortunately, can only afford to freeze the head of the dying person. At the same time, the hero's mother, an ardent Catholic, plans a traditional funeral, which leads to a split within the family.
10. "Jules and Jim", dir. Francois Truffaut
The second film on our list from the wonderful program “Kirill Razlogov. Films of My Life”- a story of male friendship, tested by love for one girl during the First World War. François Truffaut, French new wave, love of young and beautiful, dialogues about high - what else could be better for watching on the big screen in spring?
