Kathmandu, April 3 “Russian Film Days” has been officially inaugurated under the Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) in Kathmandu, marking a significant cultural collaboration between Nepal and Russia. The inauguration ceremony took place Friday morning at the Russian House in Kamalpokhari. The event was attended by Chargé d’Affaires and Minister Counsellor of Russia to Nepal, Rinchen Soksayev, as the chief guest, and Member Secretary of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, Devendra Kumar Kafle.
Speaking at the event, Soksayev emphasized the powerful role of cinema in shaping society and stressed the need for harmony among film professionals. He noted that “Russian Film Days” has been contributing toward this objective. He also shared his experience of meeting the director, actress, and cinematographer of Kumari during the opening of the ninth edition of NIFF. Kafle highlighted the importance of the collaboration, especially as Nepal and Russia mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. He expressed confidence that such cultural exchanges would further strengthen bilateral ties.
Co-chair Anastasia Khakkhlova invited audiences to take part in the ongoing festival and an AI film workshop being held in collaboration with NIFF at the Russian House.Welcoming the guests, NIFF President KP Pathak said the partnership would deepen cultural and cinematic relations between the two countries.
The event featured the screening of the historical thriller film August, based on the final phase of World War II. The film depicts the efforts of a Soviet counter-intelligence agency to prevent a rear attack on the advancing Red Army. Other films scheduled for screening include The Challenge, directed by Klim Shipenko, which is the first movie ever filmed in space and tells the story of a doctor performing life-saving surgery aboard a space station in zero gravity. Also featured are The Dino Family, directed by Maksim Volkov, about a teenage girl who travels back to the dinosaur era, and All Wrong Girl, directed by Ivanova Aleksandra, which addresses the issue of bullying among school students. All films under “Russian Film Days” will be screened free of charge at the Russian House.
