A film about the life of the Solovetsky Monastery, titled Sacred Archipelago, was showcased on the Brazilian online platform Belas Artes A La Cart. The report came from the Roskino press service, highlighting the project as a notable entry in the festival circuit.
The documentary quickly rose to the top of viewership during the online Russian Film Festival held in Brazil in August, signaling strong interest from Brazilian audiences in Russian documentary storytelling and religious heritage.
Among the seven Russian films presented to Brazilian viewers were dramas such as Danube and Flood, a crime drama Partners in Crime, the horror piece Sisters, the fantasy action package Coma, and the comedy Kidney. The festival drew approximately 9.5 thousand attendees across these screenings, with Sacred Archipelago securing the most attention and engagement as the festival’s standout documentary.
Centered on Solovki, a renowned spiritual center in Russia, the film team spent two years following the monastery life. The narrative captures quiet, purposeful daily prayers, the rhythm of monastic routines, and the deep sense of contemplation that defines life within this sacred place.
According to Mikhail Skigin, producer behind Sacred Archipelago and co-founder of the Two Captains film company, the work probes fundamental questions about existence. He notes that Brazil, where Christian religious traditions are deeply rooted, becomes a fitting audience for a documentary that presents Russia as a guardian of spiritual heritage. The perspective emphasizes how cultural memory and faith intersect in contemporary society, inviting viewers to reflect on universal truths through the lens of a living monastic tradition.
During the warmer months, Roskino organized free offline screenings of Russian cinema in Sao Paulo with support from the Russian Ministry of Culture. These screenings expanded the festival experience beyond the online platform, bringing audiences together in communal settings to engage with Russian cinema.
Among the offline events, the largest turnout occurred for a screening of The Fog, a psychological drama infused with detective elements and directed by Natalya Gugueva. The atmosphere and suspense of this film resonated with many attendees, illustrating the diverse range of Russian storytelling that resonates with international audiences.
Russian Film Festival serves as Days of Russian Cinema Abroad, a program active since 2020 to showcase Russian film heritage to global audiences. The festival continues to foster cultural exchange and broaden the reach of Russian cinematic voices in international markets while highlighting the enduring appeal of faith-inspired and historically rooted storytelling.
Earlier announcements confirmed that the Two Capitals Orchestra would perform the musical adaptation of The Master and Margarita in Moscow, signaling ongoing collaborations between cinema and performing arts to celebrate Russian cultural milestones on the world stage.