Palace Centro Cinemas

39 James Street

Fortitude Valley, 4006

Contact Palace Centro Cinemas
Visit their website

essentials reviews photos map competitions what's on menus offers

Russian Resurrection Film Festival

Finished

check cinema times

Bookings & Enquiries: 07 3852 4488

This event has now passed

In 2008, the Russian Resurrection Film Festival promises to deliver a diverse range of multi-award winning and box office smashing Russian filmic treats.

Set in Moscow at the beginning of the 1970’s, The Vanished Empire has been chosen as the opening night film and depicts the heyday of the Soviet State at the peak of its power, which also marks the starting point of its collapse. Shakhnazarov's new and rather personal film is a delicate study of this imminent and irrevocably passing era. At its heart is the classic love triangle, as two friends vie for the heart of one girl. Their lives revolve around black market Rolling Stones albums, parties, parents and queuing for vodka – ordinary events in the heartland of communism. It tells a warm and very real story of young love set against the backdrop of student life in the 1970’s, at a time when it seemed the USSR would last forever. With a career spanning 25 years, The Vanished Empire is the culmination of Shakhnazarov’s work to date and represents the jewel in the crown of one of Russia’s most celebrated Directors.

It is also with great excitement that the Russian Resurrection Film Festival announces the inclusion of Andrei Zvyagintev’s moving and mysterious film, The Banishment (2007), his follow up feature to the multi award winning and devastating film, The Return (which screened nationally across Australia with much acclaim). The Banishment was nominated for the Palme D’Or at Cannes, received the Best Actor Award at Cannes in 2007 as well as receiving Best Film (Russian Federation Film Club Award) at the Moscow International Film Festival.

This year will also feature exciting new Russian films including Vice (2007) directed by Valery Todorovsky, which tells the story of fashion-conscious Russian youths seduced by the fast money of the drug world and Simple Things (2007) directed by Aleksei Popogrebsky, a drama about family and relationships (Winner of the Grand Prix for best film, Best Director and Best Actor at the 18th Kinotavr Film Festival, Russia's foremost film event).

Headlining the Russian Fantasia Retrospective, is the cult classic Amphibian Man (1962) directed by Vladimir Chebotaryov and Gennadi Kazansky, a virtually unclassifiable nautical fantasy, that combines seafaring adventure, romance, monstrous fantasy, water choreography and tragedy into a strange, beguiling dream of a film.

The second Retrospective delving into the glory of past Russian filmmaking will explore the work of Director Karen Shakhnazarov, whose career has spanned 25 years and continues to this date. Considered one of the masters of 1980s soviet and post-soviet cinema, his films screening at the festival will include the classic Zero City (1988) and the award-winning musical/comedy We Are Jazz Men (1983). Also featuring will be his latest film, Vanished Empire (2008), which as the culmination of his work to date will represent the jewel in the crown of this extremely exciting expose of one of Russia’s most celebrated Directors. Vanished Empire takes a warm and very real look at young love set against the background of student life in the 1970’s.

The Russian Resurrection Film Festival offers an antidote to mainstream cinema with its great variety of plotlines and Russian talent yet to be discovered in Australia. This is a festival for film enthusiasts and all those keen to immerse themselves in a great slice of Russian culture. If you can’t get yourself to Russia this year, opt for the next best thing and delve into these inspiring and insightful cinematic gems!

Tickets are now available at www.palacecinemas.com.au, at the box office or by phone on (07) 3852 4488.

Opening night Thursday November 6, 7pm – The Vanished Empire, $35 includes film and post party.