At the 45th Cairo International Film Festival, the Russian film Philately scored three prizes. The festival’s jury, led by Oscar-winner Danis Tanovic, awarded the Silver Pyramid for best direction to Natalya Nazarova, the film’s creative force. The two lead performers, Alina Khojevanova and Maxim Stoyanov, were also honored for their acting.
While Philately earned recognition, the festival’s top prize, the Golden Pyramid, went to the Romanian film The New Year That Never Came. The Bronze Pyramid went to Malu, a Brazilian debut that impressed the jury with its promise. In addition, the special prize for the best screenplay named after Nobel laureate Najib Mahfouz was awarded to Vittoria, the Italian production.
Philately tells the story of a girl with cerebral palsy living in a northern coastal city, who works in the post office, collects stamps, and waits for her father to return from the sea. A chance encounter with a sailor named Peter sets her life on a new course.
Earlier, filmmaker Emir Kusturica indicated that a film adaptation of Crime and Punishment would also be shot in the same region.