International BRICS Film Forum BRICS Cinemas as Alternatives to Hollywood (Moscow, October 7, 2020)

Hollywood film industry nowadays is trying to promote cultural diversity, reforming the Oscars. In opposition to the fixed formulas of western mainstream productions BRICS films are diverse by definition. The main objective of the 5th BRICS Film Festival is to contribute to promotion of cultural, genre, and thematic diversity as well by screening films that reflect these attributes, which have already existed in the national approaches to cinematography and filmmaking. Thus, this experience is particularly relevant and can be shared not only within the film industry community of BRICS countries but also with the other leading film industry representatives, including Hollywood.  

The Global Film Industry 

In 2018, global box office receipts amounted to US $41.7 billion. When including box office receipts and the value of home entertainment sector as well, the global film industry was worth US $136 billion in 2018. Hollywood is the oldest national, and now transnational, film industry in the world and remains the largest in terms of box office receipts. Indian cinema is the largest national film industry in terms of the total number of films produced, with 1,813 feature films released as of 2018.   

National Approaches to the Film Industry in BRICS Countries 

The acronym BRICS stands for a group of five countries, e.g. Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which is considered one of the most important international associations. Nowadays the organization accounts approximately 41% of the world population and has a significant role in the global economy. The major part of BRICS countries can be characterised by a highly developed film industry, a huge number of released movies, and by a large number of consumers as well. Each member of the BRICS community cooperates, to a greater or lesser extent, with the other national industries in the field of producing feature films, exchanging technologies and locations, and promoting the content. Every national film production and approach to filmmaking has its own distinctive features.  

Brazilian cinema had remained one of the leading film industries in Latin America for a long period of time. Despite several political upheavals, the national cinema of Brazil is continuing its revitalisation; its further development is officially supported by national authorities as part of state cultural policy.  

The development of the Russian film industry after the crisis, which was caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union, has lead to a revitalisation of the entire sector of national media. Russian cinematography has a huge number of notable historical milestones, which are marked by well-known personalities and progressive ideas that have had a significant impact on the world film culture for ages. In this context, special attention is paid to the development of the regional cinema in Russia as well as to the support of debut films, experimental cinema, children’s films, and to foundation and support of the existing streaming services that provide the content to the audience. 

Indian cinema, for instance, has been meeting the demand of the Asia-Pacific market for consuming the products of the film industry for decades. Popular Bollywood blockbusters are not the only kind of cinema in India. Regional production centers create films in compliance with the local cultural and linguistic approaches to the regional cinematography and filmmaking, including stylistic diversity.  

Chinese cinema is considered one of the most growing sectors of the last decades worldwide. Some experts claim that the country will have the largest audience in the world by the end of 2020. The rapid growth of the Chinese film industry can be illustrated with the following example: this national film industry releases over 1,000 feature films annually. In 2018, box office receipts in China amounted to US $9 billion including the income from streaming services, which is the third highest result after the United States and India. The proportion of local and foreign productions in the overall films’ box office earnings was 62% to 38%. 

South Africa has begun to establish a new socio-political basis for further development of the national cinema. Due to the fact that the country has a number of unique natural places, i.e. film locations, this plenty of choices as well as quite low production costs are of great importance for the members of the regional film industry community. Thus, production costs in Europe and in the United States are significantly higher than in South Africa. 

The following topics are to be discussed during the Forum:

• The overall situation regarding the development of national film industries in BRICS countries;

• Defining distinctive features of national film industries of BRICS countries, i.e. characteristics related to language, region, and a concept of ethnicity;

• Differences and similarities in local approaches to the film industry. The actual ratio of high-budget productions to low-budget productions and debut films: key obstacles and potential solutions;

• National systems of film education in BRICS countries;

• National systems of storage and preservation of audiovisual heritage;

• Various aspects of content promotion, e.g. organisation of festivals and film distribution (both at national and international levels), foundation and support of film societies; 

• Aspects of cooperation among film industry communities of BRICS countries;

• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the film industry: potential solutions to overcome the crisis. 

Working Languages — English, Russian 

 

13.30 – 14.00

Welcome Coffee

Registration of participants and guests of the forum 

 

14.00 – 14.30

Opening Ceremony

Chair Persons

Mr. Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special representative of President of Russian Federation for international cultural cooperation (Russia)

Ms. Svetlana Maksimchenko, Head of Division for Cinematography of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation (Russia)

Mr. Kirill Razlogov, professor, All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK), program director of Moscow International Film Festival, Curator of 5th BRICS Film Festival (Russia)  

Official Welcome Words * 3-5 min. for each delegation 

 

14.30 – 15.45

Session # 1

National Models of Cinema as Alternatives to Hollywood  

Chairman   

Ms. Marina Toropygina, Ph.D. in Art History, associate professor, All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK) (Russia)

Mr. Zhang Jincgceng, director, actor, playwriter (China) 

Speakers : 

Mr. Kirill Razlogov, professor All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK), program director of Moscow International Film Festival, Curator of 5th BRICS Film Festival (Russia) 

Ms. Ilda Santiago, director of Festival do Rio — Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival (Brazil)  — online presentation

Ms. Bina Paul, vice chairperson of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy (India) — online presentation

Mr. Wang Yao, Film scholar and critic, lecturer at Beijing Film Academy, member of FIPRESCI and NETPAC (China) — online presentation

Mr. Martin Botha, Professor in the Centre for Film and Media Studies at the University of Cape Town (South Africa) — online presentation 

Discussants: 

Sajin Baabu, film director (India) — online participation Andrey Bogatyryov, film director (Russia)

Mr. Alexander Proshkin, film director, The Advanced Course for Screenwriters and Film Directors n.a. George Danelia (Russia)

Ms. Carmen Sangion, film director  (South Africa) — online presentation Tatiana Vetrova, Doctor of Art History, All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK) (Russia) 

* 8 min. for each presentation / 20 min. for general discussion  

 

15.45 – 16.00

Coffee break

 

16.00 – 17.15

Session # 2

Collaboration of the BRICS Countries in the Field of Cinema: Issues and Challenges 

Chair Persons

Mr. Kirill Razlogov, professor, All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK), program director of Moscow International Film Festival, Curator of 5th BRICS Film Festival 

Ms. Yulia Mishkinene, Producer, head of Vita Aktiva 

Speakers: 

Mr. Anton Malyshev, Executive Director of KinoPrime Fund (Russia) 

Ms. Fernanda Bullhoes, Chairman of Linhas Cultural Productions CEO (Brazil) — online presentation 

Ms. Rwita Dutta, film critic and film historian, professor at the University of Calcutta  (India) — online presentation

Ms. Cao Liuying, Co-founder, Head of International Sales of the Midnight Blur Films | Parallax Films (China) — online presentation 

Ms. Xoliswa Sithole, producer, member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and Filmmakers Against Racism, director of Nayanaya Pictures (South Africa) — online presentation 

Discussants:

Mr. Igor Gruzdev, prorector of All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK) for IT (Russia)

Ms. Natalia Ivanova, producer, CEO Khorosho Production (Russia) 

Mr. Christiaan Olwagen, film director (South Africa) — online presentation 

Mr. Alexey Petrukhin, producer, film director, actor, Russian Film Group (Moscow, Russia)

Mr. Don Palathara, film director (India) — online presentation Yu-Fai Suen, Managing Director  Berkeley Media Group Limited (United Kingdom) 

* 8 min. for each presentation / 20 min. for general discussion  

 

17.15 – 17.30

Conclusion 

Chairman

Mr. Kirill Razlogov, professor, All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK), program director of Moscow International Film Festival, Curator of 5th BRICS Film Festival (Russia)

Ms. Nina Kochelyaeva, Ph.D. in History, Director of New Institute for Cultural research, Senior Researcher of the All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK)  

 

17.30 – 18.00

Break for re-equipment of the Pushkin hall. Guests await in the lobby. 

 

18.00 – 18.30

Award Ceremony of  5th BRICS Film Festival 

 

Chairman 

Mr. Sergey Mokritsky (Russia)

Jury Members

Ms. Zhanna Tolstikova (Brazil)

Ms. Mahima Sikand (India)

Mr. Zhang Jincgceng (China)

Mr. Mudemeli Madihva Aaron (South Africa) 

 

Brazil

IN PIECES / AOS PEDAÇOS
Director: RUY GUERRA
2020, 93’ 

THE SILENCE OF THE RAIN / SILÊNCIO DA CHUVA
Director: DANIEL FILHO
2020, 96’ 

Russia

RED GHOST / KRASNY PRIZRAK
Director: ANDREY BOGATYRYOV
2020, 96’ 

BACK TO THE SARMATIAN STEPPE / NAZAD V STEP’ K SARMATAM
Director: ALEXANDR PROSHKIN
2020, 98’ 

India

1956, CENTRAL TRAVANCORE
Director: DON PALATHARA
2019, 94’ 

BIRIYAANI
Director: SAJIN BAABU
2020, 95' 

China

SATURDAY FICTION / LAN XIN DA JU YUAN
Director: YE LOU
2019, 127’ 

ALL ABOUT ING
Director: HUANG ZI
2019, 110’ 

South Africa

SALVATION
Director: CARMEN SANGION
2019, 61’ 

POPPIE NONGENA
Director: CHRISTIAAN OLWAGEN
2020, 95' 

 

18.30 – 20.00 

Dinner 

 

Brazil

Ms. Fernanda Bulhoes, Chairman of Linhas Cultural Productions CEO 

Ms. Gabriele Costa Guadagnin, Cultural attaché, Brazilian Embassy in Russian Federation 

Ms. Ilda Santiago, director of Festival do Rio — Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival  

Russia

Ms. Maria Antonova, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Policy Planning of the Russian Foreign Ministry

Ms. Ekaterina Bedareva, Head of International Department of Moscow International Film Festival

Mr. Andrey Bogatyryov, Film director, actor, competition film RED GHOST

Mr. Wolfgang Cherny, actor

Mr. Igor Gruzdev, prorector of All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK) for IT (Russia)

Ms. Olga Derevyankina, Head of the Department of Biofilmography and International Relations - State Film Fund of the Russian Federation   

Ms. Natalia Ivanova, producer, CEO of film company Horosho Production 

Mr. Sergey Kapterev, Film historian, All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK)   

Mr. Dmitry Karavaev, Director of the Film Analytical and Education Center - AllRussian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK)

Ms. Nina Kochelyaeva, Ph.D. in History, Director of New Institute for Cultural research, Senior Researcher of the All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK)   

Ms. Olga Komarova, a member of organizing committee of the Brazilian Film Festival Moscow 

Ms. Tatyana Kraynykh, Federal Fund for Social and Economic Support of Russian Cinematography Deputy Head of the Analytical Department   

Ms. Maria Ksinopulo, Producer of film company Horosho Production 

Ms. Vera Kutafina, a member of organizing committee of the Brazilian Film Festival Moscow  

Ms. Elizaveta Levanskaya, International department of Moscow International Film Festival   

Ms. Svetlana Levicheva, Producer, Wonder Media Group 

Ms. Svetlana Maksimchenko, Head of Division for Cinematography of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation   

Mr. Anton Malyshev, Executive Director of KinoPrime Fund

Mr. Boris Mashtaler, CEO of National Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Russia

Ms. Yulia Mishkinene, Producer, head of Vita Aktiva

Mr. Sergey Mokritsky, Director, DOP, Chairman of the Jury of  5th BRICS Film Festival   

Ms. Marina Ozerenchuk, Researcher of the All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK) 

Ms. Evgenia Parkhomenko, Researcher of the All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK) 

Mr. Alexey Petrukhin, Producer, film director, actor, CEO of Russian Film Group 

Mr. Dmitry Pirkulov, Producer, Amkart company

Mr. Vladimir Poluektov, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Policy Planning of the Russian Foreign Ministry   

Mr. Alexander Proshkin, Film director, competition film BACK TO THE SARMATIAN STEPPE, The Advanced Course for Screenwriters and Film Directors n.a. George Danelia   

Mr. Kirill Razlogov, professor, All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK), program director of Moscow International Film Festival, Curator of 5th BRICS Film Festival   

Ms. Lilia Rizvanova, First Secretary of the Department of Foreign Policy Planning of the Russian Foreign Ministry   

Mr. Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special representative of President of Russian Federation for international cultural cooperation 

Ms. Evgenia Tirdatova, Member of the Selection Committee of the Moscow International Film 

Ms. Zhanna Tolstikova, Journalist, scriptwriter, producer and director Head of the International Department of TV BRICS International Media Network 

Ms. Marina Toropygina, Ph.D. in Art History, associate professor, All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK) 

Ms. Tatyana Tursunona, head of International Department of All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK)  

Ms. Tatyana Vetrova, Doctor of Art History, All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK)   

Ms. Tatyana Voronetskaya, Producer, CEO Rossfilm 

Mr. Dmitry Yakunin, Producer, head of Youth center of the Union of cinematographers of the Russian Federation  

India

Mr. Sajin Baabu, film director, competition film BIRIYAANI 

Ms. Rwita Dutta, film critic and film historian, professor at the University of Calcutta

Ms. Sikand Mahima, Second Secretary of the Embassy of India in Moscow 

Mr. Don Chacko Palathara, film director, competition film 1956 CENTRAL TRAVANCOR

Ms. Bina Paul, vice chairperson of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy   

China

Mr. Zhang Jincgceng, director, actor, playwriter 

Ms. Cao Liuying, Co-founder, Head of International Sales of the Midnight Blur Films, Parallax Films, competition film ALL ABOUT ING

Mr. Wang Yao, Film scholar and critic, lecturer at Beijing Film Academy, member of FIPRESCI and NETPAC   

South Africa

Mr. Mudemeli Madihva Aaron, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. / Acting Head of Mission Embassy of South Africa to the Russian Federation 

Mr. Martin Botha, Professor in the Centre for Film and Media Studies at the University of Capetown

Mr. Christiaan Olwagen, film director, competition film POPPIE NONGENA

Ms. Carmen Sangion, film director, competition film SALVATION

Ms. Xoliswa Sithole, producer, member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and Filmmakers Against Racism, director of Nayanaya Pictures   

Bulgaria 

Mr. Vladimir Yastreba, head of Rossotrudnichestvo programs in Sofia, Bulgaria 

United Kingdom

Mr. Suen Yu-Fai, Managing Director, Berkeley Media Group Limited