A celebration of cinema: seven films screened in one day at the National Centre RUSSIA
Seven film screenings at once were held at the National Centre RUSSIA as part of the film forum of the "Peoples of Russia and the CIS" International Festival. Viewers learned what lies at the bottom of Lake Baikal, how to survive in the Arctic desert, and where the road to the mysterious Clock of the Sages leads.
"Not Listed"
One of the key events of the day was the screening and creative meeting with Sergei Korotayev, director of the film "Not Listed", based on the novella by Boris Vasilyev. The war drama tells a powerful story of the tragic events of war, filled with heroism and cruelty, loyalty, and betrayal, but above all — love and hope.
The plot follows young Lieutenant Nikolai Pluzhnikov, who on 21 June 1941 receives his first permanent posting in Brest. He is about to be officially added to the unit’s roster when early in the morning artillery fire begins — the Great Patriotic War has started. From that moment, the young officer becomes one of the defenders of the Brest Fortress.
"While working on the film, we had several goals: to understand Boris Vasilyev’s intent, to experience it personally, to fill it with new emotions, and tell the story in a way that would reach today’s audience — making the film both engaging and profound," said director Sergei Korotayev.
He expressed hope that Boris Vasilyev’s novella "Not Listed", on which the film is based, will return to the school literature curriculum. Korotayev also noted that after the film’s release, sales of the book increased seventyfold.
"I believe cinema extends the life of literature — and this is how we contribute to its continuation," he added.
"The Taste of the Sun"
The day of screenings opened with the family adventure film "The Taste of the Sun" directed by Eldar Salavatov. The film is a treat for everyone who loves Eastern epics, wise tales, and mysteries.
The story follows 12-year-old Timur, who spends his holidays in distant Uzbekistan visiting his grandfather. There, he embarks on a thrilling treasure hunt. Timur must find the road to the mysterious Clock of the Sages and enter the Labyrinth of Time — but most importantly, he must save his family. Although the film is aimed at children and teenagers, organisers note that adults will also enjoy rediscovering the spirit of childhood.
"Russian Wedding of Zaonezhye" and "Baikal. The Sacred Sea of Ice"
As part of the forum, two documentary films produced by the Russian Geographical Society were shown — "Baikal. The Sacred Sea of Ice" and "Russian Wedding of Zaonezhye". The first is dedicated to the beauty and majesty of Lake Baikal, one of Russia’s most iconic natural symbols. The audience learned about the lake’s unique ice and discovered what lies beneath its surface.
"Russian Wedding of Zaonezhye" is a reconstruction of a traditional 19th-century wedding ceremony filmed on Kizhi Island. The film authentically conveys the rituals and atmosphere of the period, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the past. Critics have praised its attention to detail — from interiors and costumes to the depth of each frame. The project is not only visually striking but also educational, and it is already being used in academic programmes.
"Chelyuskin. The First"
The festival also featured television series alongside feature films. The audience was introduced to the large-scale project "Chelyuskin. The First", directed by Stepan Korshunov and starring popular young actors Gleb Kalyuzhny and Stasya Miloslavskaya.
The story recounts the 1934 expedition along the Northern Sea Route. The ambitious journey turns into a tragedy when the steamship Chelyuskin is crushed by ice and sinks. The passengers are left stranded in the Arctic desert, hundreds of kilometres from land. This epic survival drama, while rivalling classic Hollywood productions in scope, remains true to the traditions of Russian cinema. Despite extensive use of CGI, the film achieves striking realism thanks to on-location shooting in the Arkhangelsk and Murmansk regions, the Chukotka Autonomous Area, and on the Svalbard archipelago.
"The Mystery of Admiral Ushakov"
Another patriotic film presented at the festival was "The Mystery of Admiral Ushakov", directed by Dmitry Korobkin. The film is set during the War of 1812 against Napoleon. The story follows Nikita Reutov, a young man unjustly stripped of his officer’s rank, who finds himself in the home of Admiral Ushakov. There he meets the admiral’s niece, who decides to help him restore his honour — while the French send their best spy to infiltrate the admiral’s estate.
"The Path of Wrath"
The day concluded with the premiere of "The Path of Wrath", directed by Oleg Fomin. The film tells the story of retired border guard Sergei Markov, who is forced to return to the frontier where he once served. There he confronts the ghosts of his past, determined to correct old mistakes and unravel a mysterious crime. But above all, Markov must act quickly because the life of his beloved daughter is at stake.
Event photobank
The programme opened with several major cultural and educational events.
The 20th anniversary of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, the "Peoples of Russia and the CIS" took place this week.
The folk calendar in Russia guided people not only through festive and rest days.
