Pitt and Pittsburgh Filmmakers to Host 10th Annual Russian Film Symposium May 5-10

PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Filmmakers will present the 10th annual Russian Film Symposium, titled The Ideological Occult: Russian Cinema Under Putin, May 5-10 on Pitt's Oakland campus and at the Pittsburgh Filmmakers' Melwood Screening Room, 477 Melwood Ave., Oakland.

The film symposium will address the relationship between film and former Russian President Vladimir Putin's legacy. In its celebration of a decade at Pitt, the 2008 symposium will feature the largest collection of leading scholars and critics of Russian films it has ever presented. Notable speakers will include Marina Drozdova, chief editor of the documentary department at Russia's Culture television channel; Aleksandr Kiselev, a regular contributor to the Russian journals "Film," and "Kinobiznes,"; Aleksandr Kolbovskiy, who edits one of the most popular Russian television programs devoted to cinema: "Dobroe Utro," on Russia's First Channel; and Victor Matizen, president of the Guild of Film Scholars and Critics of Russia.

Film specialists will present introductions for each film, and discussion sessions will be held after screenings. Pitt-campus screenings will be presented in Room 106 of David Lawrence Hall (DLH), 3942 Forbes Ave., Oakland. Pitt screenings are free and open to the public. Admission to Pittsburgh Filmmaker's Melwood Screening Room is $5. All screened films will contain English subtitles. The film symposium screening schedule follows.

May 5 "Soar," (2007), 85 minutes, directed by Aleksandr Mindadze, 10 a.m., DLH; "Mermaid," (2007), 113 minutes, directed by Anna Melikian, 2 p.m., DLH.

May 6 "Traveling With Pets," (2007), 97 minutes, directed by Vera Storozheva,

10 a.m., DLH; "The Island," (2006), 112 minutes, directed by Pavel Lungin, 2 p.m., DLH.

May 7 "1612," (2007), 140 minutes, directed by Vladimir Khotinenko, 10 a.m.,

DLH; "Cargo 200," (2007), 89 minutes, directed by Aleksei Balabanov,

7:30 p.m., Melwood.

May 8 "Nothing Personal," (2007), 94 minutes, directed by Larisa Sadilova,

10 a.m., DLH; "A Kiss—Not for the Press," (2008), 100 minutes, directed by Ol'ga Zhulina, 2 p.m., DLH; and "Hard-Hearted," (2007), 90 minutes, directed by Aleksei Mizgirev, 7:30 p.m., Melwood.

May 9 "Alexandra," (2007), 92 minutes, directed by Aleksandr Sokurov, 10 a.m.,

DLH; "Day Watch," (2006), 140 minutes, directed by Timur Bekmambetov, 2 p.m., DLH; and "Cruelty," (2007), 90 minutes, directed by Marina Liubakova, 7:30 p.m., Melwood.

May10 "Simple Things," (2007), 108 minutes, directed by Aleksei Popogrebskii, 7:30 p.m., Melwood.

The 10th annual Russian Film Symposium is sponsored by the Dean's Office of the School of Arts and Sciences, University Center for International Studies, Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, Center for Russian and East European Studies, Film Studies Program, and Program for Cultural Studies, all at the University of Pittsburgh; The Hewlett Foundation; Pittsburgh Filmmakers; the Trust for Mutual Understanding; and the A.W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation.

For more information, a full schedule, and a synopsis of screenings, visit www.rusfilm.pitt.edu.

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4/21/08/amm