"Snow Queen" had immense successful, both locally in Russia and internationally. (Photo : www.rogerebert.com)
This summer until autumn, Hollywood will have a new companion in the theaters.
Moviegoers will have a dose of Russian history and ingenuity, as two war movies are slated for release within the next couple of months and one animated feature film to hit cinemas beginning the end of the month.
China Film Group Corporation (CFGC) and Russia’s Star Media, a film and TV company, inked a deal in May. The state-run production company headquartered in Hong Kong purchased the remake of the Russian classic “The Dawns Here Are Quiet” to be distributed by Beijing-based Lumiere Pavilions Limited with a target release date of mid-August or early September.
Based from the bestselling 1969 novel of the same title by Soviet writer Boris Vasilyev (1924-2013), the 1972 Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film “The Dawns Here Are Quiet” was directed by Stanislav Rostotsky (1922-2001). Set during World War II, the movie explores the valor of Sergeant Vaskov, the lead character, and five female anti-aircraft gunners as they face 16 German paratroopers.
The 2015 movie remake was directed by producer-screenwriter Renat Davletyarov. It was filmed only last year and was finished in time for Russia’s May 9 celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War or Victory Day this year.
CFGC also bought the rights for the film’s TV version of the same name, which was made for the 60th anniversary of the Victory Day. The 19-part TV series aired in China in 2005.
Star Media was founded by Vlad Ryashin in 2006 and holds office in Moscow, Russia, and Kiev, Ukraine. Many of its TV series and films enjoyed high ratings and reaped awards from different international film festivals.
CFGC also bought the rights for “The Battle for Sevastopol,” which premiered in the country during the 2015 Beijing International Film Festival. Directed by Sergei Mokritsky, it was co-produced by Russia's New People Film Company and Ukraine’s Kinorob Company.
The $5-million movie is about real-life Junior Lieutenant Lyudmila Pavlichenko, a highly skilled World War II Soviet sniper. Russian stage and film actress Yulia Peresild played the role and was hailed Best Actress during the film festival.
Directed by Vladlen Barbe and Maxim Sveshnikov, the 3D computer-animated film “Snow Queen” is based from the fairy tale by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen of the same title.
The voices of singer-composer Huo Zun, former “Asian Wave Season 1” contestant, and TV host-actress Liu Chunyan aka Jin Guizi were among those featured in the film. “Snow Queen” will be shown on July 31.
The screening of Russian films in the country might as well contribute in fortifying Sino-Russian ties, and moviegoers are most likely happy to cooperate.
