Kazan Cinema Festival - a unique phenomenon ...

Alexander Anatolievich  Proshkin, speaking yesterday, late in the evening to the audience at   the main site  of the  Film Festival - Cinema "Rodina", admitted that for him the cinematography  of a number of countries became a real discovery, astonished and shocked him by their  cultural beauty, depth of feeling and relations, the skill and professionalism of the authors of the works surprised him, a high level of cinematography of countries that have never been considered cinematographic.

"Today more than ever it is important to establish a sincere dialogue between  different peoples to understand the deep layers of cultures to each other. In this sense, the Kazan Cinema Festival - a unique phenomenon and is very important, both in terms of the development of cinema and human relations ... "- said the master.

Chairman of the jury was clearly satisfied with his  participation in the festival - both professionally and from the human position. The  cinema Forum provided an opportunity not only to get acquainted with the films, which often  a mass audience   do not see, but also close, to communicate directly with the creators of the works, establish friendships and professional contacts, share experiences with colleagues, and exchange views on the ways of development of   the  world cinema.

As the author of the motto of the Kazan Film Festival - "Through the dialogue of cultures to  the culture of dialogue", the author  may  express satisfaction with the fact that the Forum has consistently, for more than 10 years,  has demonstrated its commitment to the idea, summarized in the motto.

The festival has become increasingly popular and important platform for dialogue between cultures, different religions, to form a better understanding of each other, showing traditions of different peoples and ethnic groups and, at the same time, combining them based on universal values. It  convincingly demonstrated it is not only the growth of the number of submitted works, but also their geography.

It is important to viewers, utterly  filling halls of the festival,  with avid interest are getting  acquainted with the life, problems and joys of people living, often far from Tatarstan. Fortunately, the Kazan audience  is thoughtful,  able not only to absorb the new information through the   films, but also to empathize. Cinema  makes someone else's life of people, history and culture of distant countries, people - more clear, close. The viewer is permeated either admiration or sympathy, sharing the feelings of characters in the movie

And how important it is for  the filmmakers, creators  - directors, writers, operators - not only to see the work of their colleagues from different cultural and religious groups, but also to communicate directly with each other, discuss professional and ethical issues, to share accumulated experience.

All the last days of the festival were surprisingly interesting, with a list of  fiction  and documentary works worthy of much attention and thoughtful reflection.

And, perhaps, the most joyful - the demonstrated films, most of them were represented by very young film-makers. And this fact is especially nice, since  raised in their works themes  seemed to have should not be the focus of today's youth. "Jasmine" (Syria), "Immortal" (Iran), "Afghan night of history" (Afghanistan), "Ata Beyit" (Kyrgyzstan), "Two neighbors" (Russia, Bashkortostan), "Lamorde" (Turkey), "The will of father "(Kazakhstan)," The cemetery caretaker "(Iran) ...these are  all stories about the war, about the fate of children and adults about love, life and death, about the values ​​of human relations ...

According to how seriously and deeply  in their works these themes were covered, it was clear how the civil maturity of the young authors approached to work on the films. And in the ensuing demonstrations after the press conference of films in their responses to questions from the media it was evident that they continue to live in these topics ...

Their interest in the history of their own people, the moral and ethical issues raised in the films, caused a lot of respect. This gives rise to the hope that a large part of the young and talented cinematic youth is  not inclined to get involved in film-pop, but  intends to work on serious issues and to study the processes of the important questions.

It is no accident, and the chairman of the jury Alexander Proshkin said: "I cherish  enormous hopes for the younger generation. They have on the world their own outlook, devoid of cowardice and stamps ... ".

And the chairman of the selection committee of the festival Alexander Lavrentiev,  who had seen for  recent years a lot of very different film productions, representing different countries, said bluntly: "We are now at the stage where the young cinema and movies of young - much more interesting ...".

Our republic  is known for many large projects in various fields. But there are projects that have power of resonance  and  effect   very functional. They are the most direct form the reputation of Tatarstan, and not only in Russia but also far beyond its borders.

These, of course, refers  to the  Kazan International Muslim Film Festival. This is one of those projects, which must be carried out either very good, or - in no way.

And further. We must appreciate the confidence of the masters of cinema art, which submit  their work to  the festival, or participate in the Film Forum as members of the selection committee, the jury.  Authority  of many of them is unconditional and their kind words addressed to the festival are quite worthy.

These days,  many words of gratitude have been pronounced  from  the spectators and guests of the festival to the organizers.

Joining the words of gratitude, at the same time I want to remind that  hosting   at the appropriate level of such an international project requires a corresponding reinforcement  by  thoughtful competent human resources and guaranteed stable funding.

Festival every year is enriched, of course, useful  innovations. It now resembles our national cake "Gubadiya" - a multi-layered, delicious  by   repertoire presented  films  and useful in its  educational program.

More than 10 years of experience of the festival proves its viability, and coming to the festival films suggest that their authors properly understand the essence of the motto of the Film Festival "Through the dialogue of cultures - the culture of dialogue."

As the author of this motto,  I am  glad that it  was so understood and   is in demand not only   by the founders of the festival, but also  by filmmakers, the audience - people of different nationalities and religions.

There are still a few happy days for familiarization with  cinematography of various countries, with the works  that you will not see in a mass distribution   but that push the boundaries of your consciousness and perception of the world.

Vivat,  the  12th Kazan International Festival of Muslim Cinema! Let your destiny  be a long and happy!

Raisa Saf