Russian Film Week in the United Kingdom 2017: bridging cultures through film

Over 9,000 film enthusiasts, 57 cinematic masterpieces, and 28 venues scattered across three cities—these are not merely statistics but the pulsating lifeblood of the second Russian Film Week 2017, which recently culminated in a grand finale. The week was crowned by the illustrious Golden Unicorn Awards on Saturday, November 25th, and further elevated by the UK premiere of “Mathilde” during the closing ceremony the following day. “Loveless” captures the jury’s heart, while “Mathilde” enchants audiences — magazine Afisha.London unveils the results of the 2017 Russian Film Week in the United Kingdom.

Alexei Uchitel’s provocative film “Mathilde” arrived in London amidst a whirlwind of publicity and controversy, ultimately capturing the Audience Choice Award. Such was its anticipation that the British Film Institute’s NFT1 venue was sold out within hours, prompting organisers to arrange an additional screening to meet the demand. Emerging triumphant over other favourites like “Arrhythmia” and “Loveless,” “Mathilde” undeniably struck a chord with audiences, reinforcing the significance and impact of this annual celebration of Russian cinema.

Паулина Андреева и Федор Бондарчук

Andrei Zvyagintsev’s “Loveless” emerged as the most lauded film by the international jury, securing three prestigious Golden Unicorn Awards: Best Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress. These awards were established to honour not just Russian filmmakers and actors, but also global filmmakers who focus on Russia—either setting their narratives there or drawing inspiration from Russian literature. This underscores the cross-cultural mission of Russian Film Week, aimed at fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.

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Reflective of this international ethos, the voting process has now been expanded to include an international jury. This year’s esteemed panel featured distinguished individuals such as British and Hollywood actor Brian Cox, London Film Academy co-founder Anna McDonald, The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw, and the BFI’s Head of Programming and Acquisitions Stuart Brown, among others. The complete list can be found at www.russianfilmweek.org.

“In an era marked by division between Eastern and Western cultures, compounded by rigid political stances, the true beacon of hope lies in art and creativity,” stated Brian Cox, president of the jury. “Artists, irrespective of their cultural backgrounds, inherently foster unity and mutual understanding, a sentiment diametrically opposed to the prevailing political climate. That’s why it’s imperative to nurture and support festivals like this. I am extremely proud to have been a part of it.”

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Foreign films that focus on Russia or adapt Russian literature are now evaluated by a separate Russian jury. In 2017, this panel included luminaries such as Viasat World CEO Irina Gofman, former President of the Republic of Kalmykia and FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, film critic Olga Sherwood, and Hollywood producer Alexander Shapiro.

“In only its second year, our awards ceremony has already garnered respect and prestige. We are profoundly grateful for the support we have received this year from organisations like EFG, Savills, Viasat World, Waterstones, and Gazprom Marketing,” said Filip Perkon. “It’s heartening to see such a diverse range of powerful and meaningful films represented in the nominations.”

The winners of the Golden Unicorn Awards 2017:

• Best Film:
• Loveless (Andrey Zvyagintsev)
• Best Screenplay:
• Loveless (Oleg Negin, Andrey Zvyagintsev)
• Best Actor:
• Aleksandr Yatsenko (Arrhythmia)
• Best Actress:
• Maryana Spivak (Loveless)
• Best Emerging Talent:
• Daria Zhovner (Closeness)
• Best Short Film:
• The Law of Excluded Third (Alexandra Sokolovskaya)
• Best Documentary:
• Lake Vostok. Mountains of Madness (Ekaterina Eremenko)
• Best Animation Film:
• Listening to Beеthoven (Garri Bardin)
• Best Foreign Film with a Russian connection:
• Lady Macbeth (William Oldroyd)
• Best Foreign Documentary Film:
• Oleg and the Rare Arts (Andres)
• In 2017, which was declared the Year of Ecology in Russia, the Russian Film Week in cooperation with Synergy University, the festival’s partner and co-producer, held a special competition for the Best Student Short Film on the Theme of Ecology. Maxim Arbugaev’s film The Mushers has won the Golden Unicorn-Synergy Award in this nomination.

Актер Сами Насери и актириса Марьяна Спивак

The special “Bright Future” prize, sponsored by Cultural Solidarity Media, was bestowed upon young film producer Ilya Stewart, spotlighting emerging talent in the industry.

In 2017, the Golden Unicorn Awards introduced a new accolade—The Golden Unicorn Award for Contribution to World Cinema. Alexei Uchitel had the honour of being its inaugural recipient. This esteemed award goes beyond the symbolic unicorn statuette, including a set of diamond-encrusted cufflinks, generously provided by jewellery company Geraldo. “Our designs draw inspiration from the historic era of the Russian Empire under Tsar Nicholas II,” said Ben Kams of Geraldo, who went on to commend the visual splendour of the film “Mathilde.”

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The awards ceremony was a sumptuous affair, taking place in the opulent surroundings of The Langham Ballroom. The evening featured an exquisite dinner prepared by renowned chefs Albert and Michel Roux and culminated in a charity auction. The funds raised were earmarked for WWF UK’s Save the Amur Tiger project, further emphasising the event’s commitment to philanthropy and ecological conservation.

Alexey Uchitel and Margarita Bagrova (Editor-In-Chief Afisha.London)

Each year, Russian Film Week forms a partnership with a specific charitable organisation, and for the Year of Ecology, it joined forces with WWF as its charity partner. All funds generated from the auction, as well as personal donations, are channelled directly to the foundation, reinforcing the event’s commitment to philanthropy and environmental stewardship.

A particularly intriguing lot at the auction was provided by Alexei Uchitel—an extraordinary opportunity for the highest bidder to secure a role in his upcoming film, “Battle.” This unique offering garnered significant interest and succeeded in raising an impressive £12,000, further contributing to the philanthropic spirit of the evening and directly benefiting the foundation’s mission.

Maryana Spivak and Andrey Zvyagintsev, both Loveless

The awards ceremony was a veritable who’s who of the Russian film industry, with attendance surpassing 100 notable directors, producers, and actors. Esteemed personalities such as Andrey Zvyagintsev, Alexey Uchitel, and Valery Todorovsky were among the luminaries present. The event was further graced by other distinguished guests of honour, including entrepreneur and Badoo creator Andrey Andreev, “Death of Stalin” scriptwriter Peter Fellows, and actors such as Sami Naceri, known for his role in the film “Taxi,” and Olga Kurylenko.

The diverse array of attendees—from filmmakers to entrepreneurs to actors—underscored the ceremony’s status as a significant cultural event, bridging various facets of the entertainment and business worlds. With such an illustrious guest list, the ceremony not only celebrated cinematic achievements but also served as a nexus for networking and cross-industry collaborations.