A Russian filmmaker whose critically acclaimed feature films explore the depths of human nature will present his best-known work,“The Return,” Oct. 29 at UCCS.
Andrey Zvyagintsev, winner of numerous awards including top honors at the Venice Film Festival and Cannes International Film Festival, will be present at the 6:30 p.m. showing of his 2003 film, “The Return,” at the Centennial Hall Auditorium.
The visit was made possible by Alexander Soifer, professor, Interdepartmental Studies, the College of Letters Arts and Sciences, and the Office of the Chancellor.
“Mr. Zvagintsev’s “The Return” and his latest work, “Leviathan,” are on my personal list of the top 20 greatest films of all time,” Soifer said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for students, faculty and staff to see an incredible film and to meet the person who created it.”
Zvanginstev’s visit is free and open to faculty, staff and students. To attend, please respond to [email protected].
Zvyagintsev, 50, is best known for his directing debut in the “The Return” which was widely recognized and won two Golden Lion honors at the Venice International Film Festival. The film went on to earn more than 30 international awards. He followed that film in 2007 with “The Banishment” and in 2011 with “Elena.” Both films earned awards at the Cannes International Film Festival. His 2014 film, “Leviathan,” premiered at Cannes where it earned Best Screen Play honors. The film has also earned awards in Munich, London and in New Zealand and will compete for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Film category, according to Soifer.
Before his success as a director, Zvyagintsev worked as an actor in provincial theaters before moving to Moscow nearly penniless. From 1992 to 2000, he appeared as extra on numerous TV series and feature films. A job at an independent production company was his entrance to directing and led to “The Return,” a low budget, artful family drama.
When Zvyagintsev returned in Moscow from Venice, he was given a hero’s welcome and widespread publicity. In recent years, he has made few public appearances.
For more information about Zvyaginstev, visit http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070624339?ref_=nm_rls_5
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