The governor of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Ugra, Natalya Komarova, has extended a compassionate invitation for medical treatment in Russia to the renowned director Emir Kusturica. This notable outreach, reported by DEA News, underscores a rare moment of cross-border health care collaboration that brings attention to the region’s capabilities in handling complex medical procedures for high-profile international figures.
Maria Zvereva, vice-president of the first international film festival Spirit of Fire, elaborated on the offer and its potential implications. She describedKusturica as currently facing significant health challenges, including a serious leg injury that required surgery. Zvereva noted that the governor’s gesture could allow the director to receive specialized medical attention within Russia, and she indicated that Kusturica’s condition might necessitate air travel for treatment if a timely solution could not be arranged locally. The Serbian-born filmmaker, who serves as president of Spirit of Fire since 2022, has a long-standing association with the festival and its mission to highlight new cinema from the region.
According to recent statements, Kusturica sustained a fractured right leg on March 1, an injury that immediately impacted his availability for festival duties and public appearances. The director has been candid about the severity of the fracture and the anticipated recovery timeline, which includes a period of convalescence following surgery. As a consequence, he will miss the Spirit of Fire festival events that have long celebrated cinematic debuts and international collaboration in Khanty-Mansiysk. Observers and festival officials alike have expressed appreciation for the possibility that medical care in Russia could support a faster or more comprehensive recovery, potentially enabling a return to professional commitments within a month after the procedure.