What is the fate of the chief of the national festival “Kinotavr”? It was to be held in Sochi in early June, has already been chartered and the famous Winter theatre, hotel “Pearl”, but the pandemic COVID-19 forced the organizers to take a break. For how long this question “RG” appealed to the program Director of “Kinotavr” Sitora Aliyeva. To contact her, however, was not immediately apparent: the phone was blocked.
Sitora Alieva: I had to change my phone number and to contact the police began a real terror. Began to call as if from the hospital and wonder when I’m going to go there; a Bank is interested in, if I’m going to give a loan that never took, a stream of insults and speculation… life is fun – but it’s our job. I take the first blow: make an initial selection. And movies now send especially a lot – anyone who was holding the camera, has the right to offer their labor in the contest. Often it is people who do not have a system of education, and in film, especially in short, there was a lot of garbage. Therefore, the offense became more: not selected, rolling, not given a prize or given, but not the same… whatever happens – blame the festival. However, it is now everywhere: I am an official delegate shows in Karlovy vary, Warsaw and also worked in Rome, and I know how quickly the situation is changing. Festivals are the only way for auteur cinema to its audience. Why such passions.
Invasion COVID-19 interrupted preparations for the next “Kinotavr”. What are the prospects? Is there any hope to spend it in 2020?
Sitora Alieva: In early June, he, as already announced, will take place. And keep it is certainly important. And in traditional forms – any online formats. After “a Kinotavr” is not only films. This contacts, exchange of ideas, interaction, mutual influence of people of cinema. This is a huge audience, including hotels vouchers. This socially important project: every night in the square outside the Winter theatre thousands of spectators and watching a movie even in the rain. This movie the young, to whom the festival gives a unique chance to show their films – especially short films – serious audience. Such films are shot more and more: there are a lot of film schools, and all claim the right to participate in the contest. “Kinotavr” – a platform where filmmakers can find producers, investors, distributors, your online platform.
Yes, debuts now more than ever. What about venerable?
Sitora Aliyev: they are difficult: many are counting on the festivals in Cannes or Venice and waiting for their verdicts did not give us his paintings. Therefore, we are unable to obtain a new work by Alexander Mindadze, Alexei TeachesYale, Alexander Zeldovich, Renata Litvinova. But it has been announced that the festivals in Cannes, Locarno, Karlovy vary will take place. The global film industry rushed to Venice Mostra and even sent the invitations to be accredited, but can stand if she is in doubt. After all, big festivals can not do without the participation of American cinema, it is an important component of any program, and to fly the Americans, most likely, will not. So everything will depend on the pandemic. To end the confusion, I think, will continue.
And yet, what are the predictions of the “Kinotavr-2020”?
Sitora Alieva: If you will not threaten the second wave of the pandemic, which promise many experts, the fall – it is quite possible, and we will, to the maximum extent ready. Collect the program, though perhaps not as much as hoped: many of the films stopped at the stage of post-production, and those who are ready, will wait for Cannes, Berlin and Venice. But in any case have to comply with stringent sanitary standards. Foreign festivals are now working on the development of security protocols, and the fall of sanitizer, masks, gloves, Shoe covers are an essential part of the festive toilets. Although, given our traditional carelessness, any mass event is the risk.
In today’s world everything is interconnected and dependent on each other – whether is ready for a new term of “Kinotavr” in Sochi? The same Winter the theatre can be busy with other events.
Sitora Alieva: Yes, he painted by day and by hour for the year ahead. This is a very popular facility: the constant touring, music competitions, performances… Sochi is very rich in cultural events of the town, and the Winter theatre – the centre of this life. Very popular and the Sochi hotels. So many external circumstances, on which we depend and over which have no power.
our eyes are scattered longstanding links: film – festivals, film markets – sale of films – premiere – hire… it was All tightly screwed and suddenly ceased to exist. This chaos to collect back in a system?
Sitora Aliyev: I think step by step everything will be restored. But while, Yes, chaos. Usually invited to our painting contest have the time to complete production – now all was still. And we can’t send out invitations, because we do not know whether the festival and when. “Kinotavr” is the result of work of huge number of people: some are flying to Sochi, others accept them, organize their life, and for all this logistics is responsible for the festival. Now the whole cinema network were left without work, employers are not able to pay, people were in the street. And if you remember the guest who is without protection, we can speak of a serious social collapse. As for the prospects�� of filmmaking, the money will of course be less, but it never affected the quality of the films – there is no direct relation. Now in the world is the process of combining the efforts of filmmakers of all countries. The largest parades on the planet together to create an online festival We Are One. National film industries come to the aid of various funds. It is important that these processes of mutual joined Russia.
Now is the hour experiencing the online-platform for everybody to watch movie online. There is concern that people are realizing the advantages of this method of communication with the movies, will not return to cinemas? And festivals in their original forms will be gone.
Sitora Aliyev: I don’t think. At the cinema too many advantages, which are not on small screens. Movie today – the most dynamic, rapid and inexpensive entertainment. As for festivals… because even streaming giants need talented authors, and they can be found only on the larger film festivals. Only one Netflix sent at the Berlin festival forty people to find new talent. Therefore, the festivals, and cinemas will always be. Now, in such a difficult time, we all need to say “Thank the doctors!”.
