The Kolkata Film Festival showcases Pavel Lungin’s works
Russian director Pavel Lungin’s films are part of the program at the 29th International Film Festival in Kolkata. The news was reported by media outlets covering the event. Indian audiences have had the chance to see several Lungin works, including Poor Relatives (2005), The Brotherhood (2019), Queen of Spades (2016), Chief (2012), Island (2006), Taxi Blues (1990), and Wed. (2009). Lungin also served on the festival jury, which featured a competition entry titled Seasons, directed by a well known figure skating athlete who is an Olympic bronze medalist.
The festival’s competition runs through December 12 and features thirteen films from directors around the world. In addition to Lungin’s presence, the event highlights a diverse lineup spanning different cinematic traditions and voices.
Recent industry chatter notes that the ice skater turned filmmaker’s debut received recognition at an international festival held in Mexico. The film centers on Natalia, a ballerina with the Mariinsky Theatre, as she prepares for the premiere of the ballet Seasons. The project was brought to life with a script by the skater himself and explores the pressures and passions surrounding a high-stakes performance.
Irina Grineva plays the film’s lead, supported by a cast that includes former Bolshoi Theatre soloist Denis Medvedev and actors Alexander Galibin, Pavel Osadchiy, Tatyana Maist, and Irina Savitskova. The project blends dance, drama, and personal ambition to illuminate the backstage dimension of a renowned ballet company.
Earlier reports highlighted the film Mother-in-Law, which achieved the fourth-best start among domestic releases for the year. The Kolkata festival continues to be a platform where international cinema and emerging voices intersect, offering audiences a broad spectrum of storytelling and cultural perspectives.