SheSociety were invited to attend the Russian Resurrection Film Festival. In its fifteenth year this festival caters to fans of Russian cinema in Australia and New Zealand. A very well dressed and excited crowd filled the large theatre in the Myer Centre’s Event Cinemas. The audience were treated to excellent sports drama- The Coach which was directed by and starred the superstar of Russian cinema- Danila Kozlovsky. We were privileged to have the handsome Danila here for the screening and patrons were thrilled to be a part of a Q and A session after the movie. The after party crowd gathered in the foyer for Russian canapés including salmon blini, shaslik, syrniki and piroshki. Sponsor White Birch vodka provided a range of delicious cocktails and we were entertained by a Russian band.
This year there are 16 movies on offer including the Oscar nominated Sobibor. This historical drama tells the true story of the Sobibor concentration camp revolt and escape. Danila also appears in the stylish, action packed thriller In The Hood about two friends who chase girls, enjoy fast cars and getting into scraps.
Friendship seems to be one of the themes of this year’s festival and I liked the look of I’m Losing Weight, a rom com, where Anna is dumped for being overweight and then enlists her food loving friend to help her lose weight- the friendship helps her finally find happiness.
There are retrospectives like the digitally restored masterpiece The Cranes Are Flying and Romance -Drama The Lady With A Little Dog.
SheSociety loved the movie- The Coach and what impeccable timing to have the movie coinciding with Football World Cup year in Russia. I was in France for the football final and I have never seen such enthusiastic celebrations.
Danila’s movie tells the story of Yuri, a star striker on the national team, who makes a series of mistakes in a high pressure game. His career is seemingly destroyed. A lifeline is given when he’s asked to coach struggling provincial team- Meteor. He struggles with small town life, making his players believe in themselves but eventually learns more about himself and his own beliefs in the process of coaching the team.Through love and self belief Yuri turns his life and the fortunes of the struggling community he now calls home around. A heartwarming drama with gripping sports scenes.
Try hilarious comedy Night Shift or family fantasy The Last Warrior. There is something for everyone in this year’s program. Nanny Babe and I were so impressed with The Coach we were planning our next visit before we left the cinema. The XV Russian Resurrection Film Festival is playing at Event Cinemas – Myer Centre until the 14th November, so be quick.
Michelle Beesley is a Brisbane born and bred former primary school teacher. A wife, proud grandma and mother of three grown sons, Michelle is thrilled to have recently published her debut contemporary romance novel, It Happened in Paris, with Serenade Publishing. Her novella – Escape to D’ Amour was published in 2019. Michelle’s work can be found in the anthologies – Destination Romance and Short & Sweet. When not reading or writing Michelle can be found at a coffee shop chatting with friends, front row at a fashion show, or beside a rugby union field cheering on her favourite teams.
Michelle is a reluctant traveller, Francophile, keen walker and avid yoga enthusiast plus a book, film and theatre lover who loves everything pink and sparkly (including champagne). You can find Michelle on instagram @michellebeesley_writer and her website: michellebeesley.com.
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