SIFFA (Sochi International Film Festival & Awards) will open the doors of their virtual cinema SIFFA in the UK on February 10th with the support of their partner, the Russian Embassy of the Russian Federation in the UK. February 10th also marks the Day of Diplomacy in Russia and around the world. SIFFA Russian-British Music and Film Festival can be called the most diplomatic film festival since it was created precisely to build bridges between Russia and Great Britain, as well as the countries behind or in partnership with these two great powers through the language of cinema and music. This explains the decision to hold SIFFA UK film screenings this year from 10 February.
Founder and President Luba Balagova say: ‘Undoubtedly the biggest obstacles to running our festival offline are closed cinemas and bans on indoor gathering in groups due to the UK pandemic. Moving on to our SIFFA UK film festival this year, we monitored the state of affairs in our country on a daily basis and consulted with our partners. At the moment, it is impossible to hold a film festival in the form in which we used to celebrate our culture in the UK in previous years, rolling out the Red carpet, the presentation of awards and diplomas, film screenings, master classes, creative meetings, concerts, and finally, opening and closing galas and live film screenings. That is a fact. But we will certainly return to this topic after March, since we have wonderful IRIDA awards that are waiting to be presented to recipients in Britain at our SIFFA UK ceremony.’
The films to be shown beginning Feb. 10th include (all screenings start at 8:00 p.m. UK time):
Feb. 10th – Passenger from San Francisco:
The story of the difficult fate of a former Soviet intelligence officer who was sent back in the 80s by special services to “forced” emigration. In the 90s, due to the state changes in Russia, the hero tries to get out of the maze of the most difficult problems on his own, not expecting that he can be supported. His paths intersect with the Russian and American special services for the fight against the drug mafia, drug dealers, as well as with an attractive customs officer Natasha, who suddenly has feelings for him.
Feb. 11th – Vysotsky: Odessa Notebook:
he basis of the film about Vladimir Vysotsky is his life, work, creativity in the city of Odessa.
At the Odessa Film Studio, he played the first leading roles in cinema and, most importantly, for the first time sang from the screen with his characteristic hoarse voice, which by that time had already been replicated on tape cassettes throughout the country. The Odessa period is one of the key milestones in the life and work of the poet.
Feb. 12th – SHUKHOV. THE LAST HERO OF THE RUSSIAN RENAISSANCE:
Engineer Shukhov, already a talented young scientist, leaves for the USA. At the exhibition, he meets Alexander Bari. Bari founds his construction office and plant in Moscow, inviting V.G. Shukhov to the post of chief designer and chief engineer. In the same year V.G. Shukhov for the first time in the world carried out industrial flare combustion of liquid fuel.
Feb. 13th – White Tiger:
The Second World War is coming to an end. Heavy, protracted battles exhaust both sides. But the more confidently the Soviet troops advance, the more often a huge invulnerable German tank “White Tiger” appears on the battlefield: it suddenly appears in the smoke of battles, mercilessly shoots its opponents and suddenly disappears. The Soviet command decides to create a special tank to fight the White Tiger – a special model T-34-85.
Feb. 14th – Jazz Party 1 and 2:
Popular jazz musicians such as: Sergey Manukyan, Keith Elliot, Natalya Smironova-Butman, Valery Grokhovsky, Pavel Chekmakovsky, Valery Sturov, Ivan Avaliani, Alexey Zavolokin took part in the concert, which took place in Lithuania, near Kaunas. The audience received unforgettable impressions from this concert.
Feb. 15th – Muslim:
Private Nikolai Ivanov was held captive by the Mujahideen for 7 years. When they were leading him to shoot, a peasant passing by bought Nicholas, and he replaced his murdered son. The guy returned to his native village as a Muslim in the best sense of the word. But he did not meet understanding among his fellow villagers and relatives. On the contrary, many perceived it with hostility.
Feb. 16h – Clay Pit:
Life seems to have frozen in the 90s in this remote Russian town. Here you can hide from the troubles of the big world and heal the wounds of the soul. So, Mila thinks, having decided to return to her mother’s house after a failed attempt to “make it in Moscow”. Meanwhile, her sister Galya is getting married to Rustam, a handsome young man from Central Asia. He becomes the cause of new passions. A terrible epiphany awaits the participants of this family drama.
All information can be found here: siffarussukonline.ru
FAB UK Magazine is a partner with SIFFA