Renowned Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica spoke about which novels by Russian writer Zakhar Prilepin stand out as the most striking on a global scale, according to coverage from RIA News. Kusturica shared his impressions after meeting World Youth Festival participants along the Black Sea coast in Sochi, offering a candid assessment of Prilepin’s work and its place in world literature. He stated that he has read extensively and considers Prilepin’s novel Dwelling to be among the finest novels in existence, highlighting its broad resonance and daring narrative choices as evidence of Prilepin’s extraordinary storytelling. The remark reflects a belief that Prilepin’s fiction can bridge cultural and geographical divides, drawing readers from diverse backgrounds into a compelling, morally complex world. Kusturica’s praise came amid a larger conversation about literature’s role in shaping cultural dialogue in the 21st century.
Kusturica also pointed to favorable conditions for cultural growth in Russia, noting that the country’s creative environment supports serious artistic work across multiple media. In his discussion of cinema, the director asserted that Russian films should be produced within Russia rather than imitating Hollywood productions, arguing that authenticity and local sensibility give Russian cinema its distinctive strength. He emphasized the importance of leveraging homegrown talent, landscapes, and social realities to craft films that resonate with Russian audiences and reflect the nation’s rich storytelling traditions. The exchange underscored a broader belief in the domestic development of cinema as a path to sustained artistic vitality.
At the World Youth Festival, the Sirius library was officially opened on March 4, marking a new milestone in the event’s cultural program and providing a resource for attendees to engage with contemporary Russian literature and thought. The festival’s activities highlighted an ongoing commitment to youth engagement, literacy, and cross-cultural exchange, reinforcing the role of public institutions in supporting the humanities alongside creative industries.
Earlier, on February 27, Kusturica spoke about his own filmmaking process and the inspirations drawn from Russian literature, including figures such as Valery Vodolazkin and Fyodor Dostoyevsky, whose works have long been points of reference for many global filmmakers. He described how literary themes and character archetypes from these writers inform his approach to storytelling, character development, and the cinematic portrayal of moral and existential questions.
In closing, the public conversation included expressions of appreciation for Russia’s cultural landscape and its ongoing contributions to world culture. The discussion acknowledged the wider impact of Prilepin’s novels and the enduring relevance of Russian literary and cinematic traditions in contemporary art. The dialogue reflected a shared interest in sustaining a vibrant, globally engaged cultural ecosystem that values both original voices and cross-cultural dialogue.