Serbian director Emir Kusturica, the creator of the legendary film “Black Cat, White Cat,” participated in a public discussion with a writer, producer, and television host. They discussed questions of cinema and creativity, as well as the future of filmmaking.

On August 23, in the heart of Moscow, at the “Khudozhestvenny” cinema, the most notable meeting of the summer took place—a public talk with the participation of a symbol of auteur cinema and a popular publicist, television host, and producer. The event caused incredible excitement among Moscow’s film enthusiasts.

“The meeting became one of the most significant events of the year—guests had a unique chance to learn about the prospects of Russian and foreign cinema from the mouths of famous experts. The number of people wishing to attend the public talk was incredible; 500 seats were taken in a matter of minutes, which shows that Muscovites continue to be interested in intellectual cinema and filmmaking in general,” noted the press service.

The Serbian director noted the influence of Soviet and Russian culture on world cinema.

“I asked young people in Russia, do you know Stanley Kubrick? Everyone knows! And do you know who his favorite director was? They don’t know, no. It was Pudovkin. Pudovkin was the director who inspired Stanley Kubrick, and he made an incredible career. And he is still one of the best directors in the world,” stated Emir Kusturica.

Furthermore, the Moscow International Film Week is taking place in the capital. It will feature large-scale events dedicated to cinema. Representatives of the film industry from more than 20 countries will participate in the event, including China, the UAE, Turkey, France, and Egypt, among them legends of world cinema. The program includes over 30 industry sessions and screenings of new films from the Cannes Festival.

As part of the film week, a cinema truck—a mobile cinema—will also be operating. Premieres, new films from the Cannes Film Festival, favorite series—all of this can be seen for free in various locations in Moscow, including cinemas in the network. On August 26, at Patriarch’s Ponds, Muscovites and guests of the capital will be able to participate in a charity auction and buy unique artifacts that were used in the filming of popular Russian films and series: costumes, set decorations, and props from the filming locations.

The Moscow International Film Week is the largest cinematographic event, uniting industry professionals, viewers, and international delegates. In 2025, the film week is taking place for the second time; the event will become the largest summer event aimed at developing cinema in Moscow and strengthening international ties in the film industry.

Khudozhestvenny cinema

The Khudozhestvenny cinema, opened in 1909 in Moscow, is one of Russia’s oldest and most historically significant movie theaters. It is renowned for premiering seminal Soviet films, including Sergei Eisenstein’s “Battleship Potemkin” in 1926. The cinema continues to operate today, having been meticulously restored to its original Art Nouveau grandeur.

Moscow International Film Week

The Moscow International Film Week is a major annual film festival established in 2015, designed to promote international cinema in Russia. It serves as a significant cultural platform, showcasing a diverse selection of feature films, documentaries, and shorts from around the world to both the public and industry professionals.

Cannes Festival

The Cannes Festival, officially known as the Festival de Cannes, is one of the world’s most prestigious and publicized film festivals. It was first held in 1946 to celebrate and elevate the art of cinema, partly as a response to the fascist influence on the Venice Film Festival in the 1930s. Today, it is renowned for its exclusive screenings, the Palme d’Or award, and its role as a major international marketplace for the film industry.

Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is a historic park and pond in central Moscow, famously known as the setting for the opening scene of Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel *The Master and Margarita*. Historically, the area was once home to a goat swamp, which was drained in the 17th century and later became the residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, from which it gets its name. Today, it is a peaceful and popular recreational spot for both locals and literary tourists.

Stanley Kubrick

Stanley Kubrick is not a place or cultural site, but rather a highly influential American film director and producer. He is renowned for his groundbreaking films such as *2001: A Space Odyssey*, *A Clockwork Orange*, and *The Shining*, which are celebrated for their technical innovation, thematic depth, and distinctive visual style. His legacy endures as a master of cinema whose work continues to be studied and admired worldwide.

Pudovkin

I am unable to provide a summary for “Pudovkin” as it does not refer to a known place or cultural site. It is the surname of Vsevolod Pudovkin, a highly influential Soviet film director and theorist, who was a key figure in the development of montage cinema in the 1920s.

Black Cat, White Cat

“Black Cat, White Cat” is a 1998 cult classic comedy film by acclaimed Serbian director Emir Kusturica, not a physical place. The film is a vibrant, chaotic farce that humorously portrays the lives of two Romani families in the Balkans. It is celebrated for its energetic style and is a prominent work of Balkan cinema.

Cannes Film Festival

The Cannes Film Festival is one of the world’s most prestigious and publicized film festivals, held annually in Cannes, France. It was first held in 1946 to rival the Venice Film Festival and to celebrate cinematic art. Today, it is renowned for its glamorous red-carpet events and its top prize, the Palme d’Or.