Guests at the Russian Resurrection 2019 Film Festival opening night in Brisbane were greeted by festival director Nicholas Maksymow who presented us with a diverse, multicultural action adventure viewing of Journey to China: The Mystery of the Dragon’s Seal. English cartographer and traveller Jonathan Green is ordered by Peter the Great to chart maps of the Russian Far East.
Jonathan journeys from England to China and has unbelievable discoveries when confronted with Chinese princesses, martial arts masters and even a dragon. This fantasy adventure features an all-star cast with Jackie Chan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the late Rutger Hauer (in his last role), Jason Flemyng, Anna Churina, Charles Dance, and Xintong Yao.
I was fortunate to speak with the Russian director, Oleg Stepchenko and my Russian friend, who attended the opening with me, was able to interpret on my behalf. Oleg said the most difficult challenge in his role was to organise all three countries Russia China and England to agree to the production. Filming was held in each country, collaboration and understanding of each other’s distinctiveness essential. Further to this Oleg’s other challenge was scheduling Jackie Chan and Arnold Schwarzenegger, technically it took him a year to achieve this due to their heavy schedules.
When questioned if he could see a future Russia and China making films together, Oleg indicated if it benefited both countries, there will be a sequel. Already in China there has been 280 million viewers on the digital platform. Oleg said there were no difficult actors, they are all professionals in their own right. The whole cast (and it was a big one) was a pleasure to work with.
At the After Party, held at Event Cinemas, Myer Centre Brisbane, guests were treated with Russian style hors d’oeuvres served with vodka, spritzers and a new 100% natural energy drink called Doctor V, about to be released on the market nationally. It has been specially formulated with botanical extracts from Siberia.
This year’s festival presents us with a wide variety of distinct movies, action adventure, romantic comedy, historic epic, war drama, horror comedy, art house drama and animation for children. It includes a retrospective of films made by the famous Russian Director Pavel Lungin who this year celebrates his 70th anniversary. The full film list, session times and tickets for all Australian states and New Zealand can be accessed online www.russianressurection.com
In Brisbane the festival has begun and runs at Event Cinemas Myer Centre 5-13 November and Gold Coast Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Broadbeach 9-10 November.
All information for Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne, Burwood NSW and New Zealand is on the web site. Our other Australian states have opening night to look forward to soon.
Thank you to Georgina Stegman from @ThinkTankCommunications and to @SheSociety.
Ruth Greening holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Psychology & Philosophy. Before retirement, she worked for over 40 years in the corporate world in Melbourne and Brisbane and progressed into senior management positions and project roles for both private industry and government.
In her 70th decade, she continues in casual roles as a freelance writer, model, and actor participating in small movies, TV commercials and User Generated Content.
As a grandmother, she is known as Nanny Babe to her grandchildren and writes from a Baby Boomer perspective on her blog www.nannybabe.com. An avid crafter Ruth actively participates in sewing, crocheting and knitting.
While she continues to pursue her artistic passions, Ruth is dedicated to maintaining her health and fitness as she ages by attending the gym, dancing and walking and thrives on mentoring others.
Connect with Ruth or our moniker Nanny Babe; nannybabegengp.blogspot.com.au/
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