Russian Film Festival to kick off in Lahore this month

Upcoming event will showcase local history, traditions and culture

LAHORE: The Russian Consulate in Lahore is gearing up for the Russian Film Festival, wherein 12 Russian super hit films will be screened for the general public. Although the exact dates of the two-day event are yet to be finalised, sources revealed it will take place sometime during the last week of April.

The Russian Film Festival will take place at the South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) and include film personalities and other celebrities from across Pakistan. The purpose is to establish sound relations between the Pakistani and the Russian film industries which can, one day, lead to collaborations between the two.



“The Honorary Consulate Russian Federation Lahore is playing a crucial role in building and strengthening a friendly cultural relationship between Pakistan and Russia,” Honorary Consul Mr Habib Ahmad told The Express Tribune. “We’ve already started free Russian language classes. The course is three-months long. And now, we’re launching the Russian Film Festival to give Pakistanis a chance to understand Russian history and culture better. In the future, the consulate will facilitate those with an interest in doing business with, studying in or simply visiting Russia.”

PHOTO:FILE

One of the key screenings at the festival will be that of Kandagar. All the other films shown will highlight Russian history, traditions and culture. These will include war films and some comedies as well, albeit with English subtitles. Officials of the consulate are making sure to select only those Russian films that have either been recognised at the international level or feature prominent Russian actors and actresses in their casts.

PHOTO:FILE

“We are choosing the films based on the tastes of our Pakistani audience,” clarified the consulate media coordinator Imtiazul Haq. “Besides the festival, we are planning to screen Russian films at different educational institutions in Pakistan as well. We are also hoping the government support our purpose.”

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