Sokurov on removal from film council and meeting with Putin

By a government decree dated January 30 was changed the composition of the governmental Council for the Development of Domestic Cinematography. Alexander Sokurov, as well as eight other film figures, were excluded from it — they were replaced by other major managers, including those with an active patriotic stance. Fontanka learned the director«s opinion on the decision.

— Alexander Nikolayevich, last week you were excluded from the governmental Council for the Development of Cinematography. Do you think this is related to your December speech at the Human Rights Council?

— I hope there is no connection here, because this council should go through a rotation procedure. I think these are just normal, ordinary procedures, and not only I was removed from the composition, but also the director of the Gorky Studio (Yuliana Slashcheva. — Ed.), for example, and others.

But I must tell you frankly that I had no idea this council existed. I have never been to its meetings and don«t know if it ever convened. We, living in the provinces, at such a distance from Moscow»s governmental, state life, simply may not know what is happening there.

Well, rotation is correct: there should be turnover. It is only important that such bodies work, that they not have abstract people who have no relation to film production and to real life, first and foremost that of our young cinema. Because everything we do, we must do now so that young people can work and so that there are more new opportunities and new films. But this task, in my opinion, is not being fulfilled in any measure. And that is another question.

— In December, Vladimir Putin regarding the ban on your films said that he would call you and you would talk about «how and what of your works is being banned.» Did he call?

— Well, in the second half of February, there should probably be a meeting, I hope. If it works out with his schedule, because you can imagine how busy the country«s president is now. So whether it will work out or not — I don»t know.

— Do you mean a personal meeting?

— Yes, yes, that«s what was discussed.

— So you will go to him in Moscow?

— Yes, probably. He won«t come to me.

— Well, he periodically comes to St. Petersburg.

— Can you imagine him coming to me? I think that is unbelievable in any case.

— It would be great, actually.

— It would be great. I would invite him home, give him tea, show him my library. And show him something on screen, that would be an opportunity. But I think these are too general wishes.

— What would you show him, by the way?

— Well, at the very least, I would show the new film we made — «A Director»s Notebook.« This is a film that tells a lot about the city where he was born. And something else. Films by young guys, my students — very good films! There is something to watch, but I think the president will have no time for the most important of the arts — cinema — of course. These are fantasies.

— By the way, about «A Director»s Notebook«: when will we be able to watch it? Where?

— I don«t know, I don»t know. It doesn«t belong to me, it belongs to my colleagues, Italian producers, and to show it in Russia you need to get a distribution certificate. Knowing that they haven»t been giving me these certificates for several years now, not allowing screenings, I don«t even submit it to the Ministry of Culture: I know they won»t even look at it, but will immediately say «no.» So why do I need another banned film in my homeland? Why? Well, we made it and that«s it. They»ll watch it in Europe.

This film was made for young directors and for young people in general, because there are many interesting formal solutions, a lot of music, a lot of Soviet history, many documents. It«s an educational, enlightening work that tells about life in Leningrad during a certain historical period and about how life was going on around it at the same time. This is a connection between life in Leningrad and life in the whole world: Europe, Latin America, Africa — everything you want. Science, culture — everything, everything, everything together.

— Is the film dubbed into Russian?

— Yes, of course, there is a Russian version. Mikhail Borisovich Piotrovsky watched it, even twice, Natalya Dmitrievna Solzhenitsyna watched it — I showed it for review and checking of various historical facts. Naturally, I always show Piotrovsky everything I do. He is always our first viewer, he even watches work-in-progress versions, and he watched «Fairytale» that way, and «Francofonia» that way — in general, all the films I make, when I«m here in Leningrad, I обязательно show him. I am grateful to him for this patience and this attention.

— Was there not a single screening in a cinema in St. Petersburg?

— No, of course, we have no right to that.

— Well, by law, it«s possible at an international festival, at »Poslanie,« for example.

— «Poslanie» did not allow it to be shown. «Poslanie» refused to take it.

— They didn«t allow it or they themselves refused?

— They themselves refused. They said that since there are no documents — we won«t show it. It»s just that kind of attitude towards me. Therefore, unfortunately, that«s the situation in St. Petersburg.

— Sad. So tell me, a St. Petersburg native, where can I watch your film after all? Where should I go?

— I can«t help you with anything for now. It runs for 5 hours, so you can»t just watch it like that. But in Venice we showed it, there were several screenings at the last festival…

— Is it on any platforms?

— No, come on, we have no right, actually. I don«t want any unnecessary aggravation, unnecessary problems, why do I need that?

— But if the producers are Italian, maybe they posted it on some Netflix, for instance.

— No, not yet. I ask them not to post it, not to upset anyone. Although it is a very interesting, big interesting work about our Leningrad life.

— I really hope to watch your film someday.

— Someday.