The Farabi Cinema Foundation in Tehran celebrated a major cultural milestone with the launch of Russia Film Days on Saturday, December 23. According to the Public Relations Department of ICO, the event which held at the Abbas Kiarostami Hall, was attended by top Iranian cinema officials, Russian Ambassador Alexey Dedov, and prominent guests from the Russian film industry.
Mohammad Khazaei, Director of the Iran’s Cinema Organization (ICO), addressed attendees with a message condemning a "sanctions-centric mentality" in culture and cinema. Khazaei stressed that such an approach is destined to fail and urged policymakers to recognize the importance of cultural exchange. He highlighted the long-standing cultural ties between Iran and Russia, noting that recent high-level exchanges have set the stage for enhanced cooperation.
Khazaei expressed optimism that the Russia Film Days would mark the beginning of a new era of collaboration between the two nations. He anticipated that the event would lead to joint film productions, reciprocal screenings, and other cultural exchanges. Emphasizing cinema’s role in showcasing shared cultural values, Khazaei hoped that modern Russian cinema would gain recognition in Iran akin to that of its renowned literary and cinematic figures.
Seyed Mehdi Javadi, CEO of the Farabi Cinema Foundation, welcomed the Russian delegation and highlighted the historical cultural connections between Iran and Russia. He hoped the event would be a crucial step toward realizing agreements for mutual film screenings and collaborative projects.
Ambassador Alexey Dedov praised the event as an important opportunity for Iranian audiences to explore contemporary Russian cinema. He thanked the Farabi Cinema Foundation and the Russian Union of Filmmakers for their efforts in organizing the event. Dedov emphasized that cinema bridges human connections and fosters understanding, and highlighted the shared cultural heritage between Russia and Iran.
Valery Ivanovich Tonkikh, head of the Russian delegation and Deputy Chairman of the Russian Union of Filmmakers, introduced the Russian filmmakers present and outlined their goals. Tonkikh mentioned plans to establish the "Caspian" film association and the Eurasia Film Academy, aiming to create unique collaborative opportunities and an alternative to the Oscars.
A video message from Nikita Sergeyevich Mikhalkov, Chairman of the Russian Union of Filmmakers, welcomed the event and described it as a chance for Iranian audiences to experience Russian cinema. He emphasized the enduring cultural connections between the two nations.
Dmitry Anatolyevich Davidenko, Head of the Cinema and Digital Industry Development Department at the Russian Ministry of Culture, contributed a video message discussing the significance of the selected films and expressing hope for increased collaboration and joint projects between Iran and Russia.
In closing, Mohammad Khazaei reiterated the importance of overcoming cultural isolation imposed by Western policies. He called for leveraging the rich cultural resources of both nations to build lasting partnerships and enhance mutual understanding through cinema. The event concluded with a screening of "Don’t Bury Me Without Ivan," directed by Lyubov Borisova.
The successful launch of Russia Film Days highlights a shared commitment to deepening cultural and cinematic cooperation between Iran and Russia.