The Ideological Occult: Russian Cinema Under Putin

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 introduce each film, and discussion sessions will be held after screenings. Pitt-campus screenings, which will be presented in Room 106 David Lawrence Hall, are free and open to the public. Admission to Pittsburgh Filmmakers’ Melwood Screening Room is $5. All screened films will contain English subtitles. The film symposium screening schedule follows.

Soar (2007, Aleksandr Mindadze), 10 a.m., May 5, 106 David Lawrence Hall.

Mermaid (2007, Anna Melikian), 2 p.m., May 5, 106 David Lawrence Hall.

Traveling With Pets (2007, Vera Storozheva), 10 a.m., May 6, 106 David Lawrence Hall.

The Island (2006, Pavel Lungin), 2 p.m., May 6, 106 David Lawrence Hall.

1612 (2007, Vladimir Khotinenko), 10 a.m., May 7, 106 David Lawrence Hall.

Cargo 200 (2007, Aleksei Balabanov), 7:30 p.m., May 7, Melwood Screening Room.

Nothing Personal (2007, Larisa Sadilova), 10 a.m., May 8, 106 David Lawrence Hall.

A Kiss—Not for the Press (2008, Ol’ga Zhulina), 2 p.m., May 8, 106 David Lawrence Hall.

Hard Hearted, (2007, Aleksei Mizgirev), 7:30 p.m., May 8, Melwood Screening.

Alexandra (2007, Aleksandr Sokurov), 10 a.m., May 9, 106 David Lawrence Hall.

Day Watch (2006, Timur Bekmambetov), 2 p.m., May 9, 106 David Lawrence Hall.

Cruelty (2007, Marina Liubakova), 7:30 p.m., May 9, Melwood Screening Room.

Simple Things (2007, Aleksei Popogrebskii), 7:30 p.m., May 10, Melwood Screening Room.

More information is available at www.rusfilm.pitt.edu.