French director Gaspar Noe admitted that this is the first time he has visited Russia, despite the director being invited to MIFF twice. He said this in an interview Kinopoisk.
According to her, she dreamed of exploring the country, as well as visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg, but could not do this due to work.
“I came to Russia because I felt a connection with Russian cinema. It’s a strange thing,” the director admitted.
Gaspar Noe has revealed that he admires Russian films from the Soviet Union. The director explained that he understands that both Russia and its cinema have changed a lot since then.
“The idea of Russia that lives in my head is the 1960s, 1970s. And maybe I imagine today’s Russia based on the films of Zvyagintsev, who are very popular in France,” he said.
In Russia, Gaspar Noe met with director Alexander Sokurov, whom he admired greatly. Sokurov seemed to him to be very, very friendly.
The French director also did not describe his visit to Russia as a gesture at a time when some Europeans were boycotting the country.
“I came to meet cinephiles. I remember growing up in Argentina and then in France, cinema helped me live. There is no need to attribute to me intentions that I do not have”, he emphasized.
Formerly Gaspar Noe named Your favorite Soviet films.