Presidential Library marks the Russian Cinema Day and presents films about the history of Russia

The Russian Cinema Day is celebrated on August 27. The event encouraged the Presidential Library to present the extensive collection “Marking the Russian Cinema Year”, along with films about the history of Russia. The collection comprises about 600 items: official documents, studies, a variety of visual materials (bills, posters, postcards etc.), which cast light on various aspects of cinematography in Russia from early 20th c., and also highlights some films and Russian and Soviet actors. Within less than a decade the library has become one of the most fully equipped facilities for production of wade-ranging documentaries.

The scope of the film production launched by the Presidential Library really impresses.

Since 2009 the Presidential Library has been directing documentary, popular science and educational films, along with pictures, which focus on the library’s key activities: tours, lectures, lessons and other events of the institution are recorded. A total of 400 video materials were produced between the years of 2009 and 2017.

The library has established a tradition of making films covering a particular subject. Sixteen films about Novgorod history and its magnificent cathedrals and monasteries were produced within the last six years: “Novgorod. 1150 Years as Part of the History of the Russian Statehood”; a group of four films “Russian Icons in the Collection of the Novgorod Museum-Reserve”; “The Golden Treasury of Veliky Novgorod” (2 Parts); series entitled “Saved Frescoes of the Saviour Church on Nereditsa” and “Saved Frescoes of the Assumption Church in Volotovo” (2 Parts), “Saved Frescoes of the Transfiguration Church in Kovalyovo”; series “Graffiti”: “Graffiti of the Cathedral of St. Sophia in Veliky Novgorod”, “Graffiti of St. George Cathedral of Yuriev Monastery”, “Graffiti of the Saviour Church on Nereditsa”, “Writings and Drawings-Graffiti in Churches of Veliky Novgorod”. 

The documentary trilogy about Staraya Ladoga was produced between 2015 and 2016. It is made up of the following films: “The capital city”, ‘Saved Frescoes of Staraya Ladoga. 12th Century Churches”, “Saved Frescoes of Staraya Ladoga. St. George Church”.

Films of “Russian Fleet by the Shores of America” series have achieved users’ recognition. They shed light on a little-known expedition of the Russian fleet, which contributed to the victory of the North over the South during the American Civil War. The release of the third part of the series is scheduled for 2018.

The project “The Presidential Chronicle”, which has been carried out in cooperation with the Presidential Administrative Directorate, is currently underway. Films “Symbols of the Presidential Power”, “The Private Library of the President of the Russian Federation” were made in 2015, “I address the President” is the film produced in 2016, while “The Archive of the President of the Russian Federation” is the film of 2018. Films entitled “The Moscow Kremlin – Residence of the President of the Russian Federation” (Part 1), “The Working Residence. The Senate” (Part 2) and “The President Gives Awards” are nearing completion.

All the above-mentioned films along with many others are available on the portal of the Presidential Library in its “Audiovisual materials” section. Apart from this, documentaries are regularly broadcast on the portal in “Live Broadcast” section, which also features the broadcast schedule.

The portal of the Presidential Library provides access to films dedicated to the writer Daniil Granin and Russian avant-garde artists, along with the pictures which spotlight the restoration of frescoes and the Martial Chamber, which houses the Russia’s only World War I Museum. The film of the Presidential Library “Saved Frescoes of the Saviour Church on Nereditsa” was on show in Moscow as part of the 11th International Charity Cinema Festival “Effulgent Angel” and received recognition of Patriarch Kirill, who gave his blessing to its general release. Veliky Novgorod held the presentation of the film collection of the Presidential Library about the restoration of frescoes and icons and the origin of Russian statehood in Novgorod. As part of “The World of Knowledge” International Cinema Festival the Cinema House annually features a special show of films produced by the Presidential Library in the current year.

It is common practice for the library to present its films at the meetings of the Presidential Library’s Cinema Club: a documentary trilogy about Staraya Ladoga, “Graffiti of St. George Cathedral of Yuriev Monastery” – which is a part of the four films about graffiti in churches of Veliky Novgorod, to name but a few. The Presidential Library welcomes film fans to watch and discuss the film “The Frontier Area” – its show is scheduled for August 30, 2018, while the presentation of the film ‘Saved Frescoes of the Christ Transfiguration Cathedral of Mirozhsky Monastery” is scheduled for September 12.

Films are on show in major airports of Russia, Sapsan electric express trains, as part of the Moscow International Book Fair, Spasskaya Tower Festival in the country’s main square etc.

Of particular interest are the latest videos, produced to mark FIFA World Cup 2018, which feature football researcher Yury Pavlovich Lukosyak,  “The Frontier Area” – the film about the history of Bryansk, based on the exposition of the Bryansk Local History Museum, “Saved Frescoes of the Christ Transfiguration Cathedral of Mirozhsky Monastery” Parts 1 and 2. The year 2019 will see the release of the film about the holy places of the Russian North: preservation and restoration of monasteries and frescoes in Vologda Region; “The President Gives Awards” will be available to users in 2020.