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Remarks by the Russian Ambassador to Sweden,
Alexander M. Kadakin, at the opening of
the 9th Kinorurik Film Festival,
Biografen Sture cinema hall, Stockholm,
March 20, 2008
Dear Mr Stig Fredriksson, the famous anchor of the Swedish TV,
Dear Organizers of the Festival,
Dear guests,
Thank you for inviting me to inaugurate the Kinorurik Russian Film Festival in this hospitable Biografen Sture cinema hall. It is a great pleasure and honour for me to be with you tonight.
In recent years, Russia’s film industry has received a strong impetus, thanks to the improving economic situation. Wrong were those soothsayers who in early’ 90s predicted that Russian cinema would die. We are witnessing kind of a renaissance. The films’ budgets are rising, more and more new movies are screened, prestigious festivals are held and various awards and prizes are won. The Swedes also have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the newest Russian films. No doubt, an important role belongs to the Kinorurik Festival.
This is the ninth time that a group of talented enthusiasts from the “Russian House” is organizing for us this parade of Russian movies. This year’s programme, carefully compiled by the organizers, gives a unique chance to the Swedish movie goers to see the newest Russian film releases. Some of them, thematically, are connected with Sweden. The Sovereign’s Servant deals with a dramatic period in Russian-Swedish history of 300 years ago. However, even those events today unite us, rather then disunite – it is our common history and heritage. The participation of a renowned Swedish actress, Maria Bonnevie, in “Banishment”, another film in the programme, exemplifies today’s close links between artistic people of the two countries. No doubt, you will also enjoy new productions directed by Stanislav Govorukhin, Karen Oganesyan and other directory and producers.
The film ‘Alive’, which inaugurates the programme tonight, reflects the theme of the scourge of international terrorism – a burning issue of our times. It shows how much it ruins people’s destinies and characters. It is our common task to prevent the spread of this evil.
On the occasion of Kinorusik’s opening. May I express gratitude to the energetic people who spared no efforts in preparing this event, in particular, President of the festival, Andrei Lakstigal, Ilya Belobragin, Anna Eriksson, Vladimir Ivanov, Anya Rautberg, Irina Ovsyannikova and Prune Leroi.
It is with great pleasure that I declare the Kinorurik Festival open.
Godspeed to Kinorurik!
Thank you.
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