A Reverent Revelry at the "Message to Man" Festival: Opera, Ballet, and a Smolensk Priest!
Oh, St. Petersburg! The city where the canals are as romantic as a sappy rom-com. And just when you thought the only thing you could catch was an icy draft, we have the 34th International Film Festival of Documentary, Short Fiction, Animated and Experimental Films—otherwise known as the “Message to Man.” This year’s highlight? A riveting documentary about a priest from the Smolensk region who’s not just throwing holy water on Sundays, but also dancing like no one’s watching at the opera and ballet. Talk about a holy rollercoaster!
Date with Divine Ticketing:
Mark your calendars for October 20 and 21, folks! Bring your friends, your parents, or even that weird neighbor who talks to pigeons—everyone will want to witness the premiere of Denis Shabaev’s documentary "No News." You can catch the screenings at the charming Aurora cinema and the atmospheric LENDOK open-air film studio. Honestly, I think I’d go just for the popcorn.
And if you think there’s not enough time to get a ticket, don’t worry! Tickets are available online, so make sure to grab them before they vanish quicker than your last relationship.
A Priest with a Plural Identity:
Now, let’s talk about Father Alexander Mironov—our film’s leading man. He’s not your typical clergyman! Imagine this: he’s in one hand throwing out blessings and in the other hand, secretively slipping into a ballet. I mean, who would have thought that the same guy who’s reciting prayers could also be reciting the nuances of a pirouette?
“Religion has always viewed theater, including opera and ballet, with undisguised suspicion,” says the director. Isn’t that delightful? It’s like saying, "Oh, I love chocolate, but only if it’s carrot-flavored." This film seems to challenge that very notion. Can we sip from the Holy Grail of spirituality while cha-cha-ing through the intricacies of the arts? It sounds like a match made in heaven—or at least a sitcom!
Culture, Charity, and Cha-Cha:
And let’s not forget that this is a man who also dabbles in charity. When he’s not harmonizing with divine vibrations, he’s spreading good vibes where they’re needed. He’s like Batman but with a cassock—saving souls instead of Gotham.
Our dynamic duo, Father Alexander and opera, raises a thought-provoking question: can we really juggle two worlds that seem to clash more than an orchestra tuning before a performance? If that doesn’t pique your interest, I don’t know what will!
Cinemas and Streaming:
The film was produced by the Production Center of the Film Studio named after M. Gorky. You know, where masterpieces are born! It’s also available on streaming platforms Kinopoisk and Okko, so if you can’t make it to St. Petersburg, you can still take part in this existential dance from the comfort of your couch—preferably in pajamas.
So whether you’re a cinephile or just someone looking to experience something refreshingly different, get ready to watch Father Alexander navigate the intricate ballet between spirituality and the secular. It’s sure to be a blend as smooth as a well-timed punchline.
In Conclusion—A Call to All:
Loved this little inside scoop? Want to support independent storytelling? Go ahead and donate! Every bit helps create a space for creativity and expression—you might even help launch the next brilliant mind behind the camera! So follow them on VK, Yandex.Zen, and Telegram—you know you want to get the latest updates in your life, right?
So, what have we learned from all this? It’s simple—God may not be watching, but you might want to consider what you’re doing with your downtime between divine services and dance practice. And who knows? You might be tempted to take up ballet too!
Until next time, don’t forget: life is a dance, and every moment is worth a cha-cha!
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October 18, 2024
October 18, 2024
The premiere of a film about a priest from the Smolensk region will take place in St. Petersburg at the “Message to Man” festival
Arina Tikhomirova
October 20 and 21 in St. Petersburg as part of the national competition 34th International Film Festival of Documentary, Short Fiction, Animated and Experimental Films “Message to Man” The festival premiere of Denis Shabaev’s documentary “No News” will take place. Screenings will take place in the small hall of the Aurora cinema and in the LENDOK open-air film studio.
The International Film Festival “Message to Man” will be held in St. Petersburg from October 18 to 27 with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives and the Committee for Culture of St. Petersburg. Entry to events with tickets that can be purchased at website.
Still from the movie “No News”
The observational film introduces viewers to an unusual priest from the Smolensk region. Like all clergy, Father Alexander conducts religious rites and services. In his free time, he actively helps those in need receive help from charitable organizations, visiting people’s homes if necessary. But he also has a very secular hobby – opera and ballet..
«The hero of our film, Archpriest Alexander Mironov, combines seemingly two opposites. Religion has always viewed theater, including opera and ballet, with undisguised suspicion. Although there is no direct prohibition, the fact is that there is a lot in dance that the church does not encourage. I think it’s important to watch how he copes. I think the audience will also be interested to know whether it is possible to combine life in the temple and in art“says the director of the film Denis Shabaev.
The film was shot by the Production Center of the Film Studio named after. M. Gorky with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. It is available for viewing in the online cinemas Kinopoisk and Okko.
Still from the movie “No News”
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