When asked which of his favourite films he would like to present within the Six Close Encounters Section of the KVIFF, the filmmaker Sergej Loznica, who comes from Belorussia, pointed out The Astenic Syndrome without any hesitation. The two-and-half opus magnum depicting the Soviet society in the late 1980’s was directed by the non-conform director Kira Muratova.
“I looked through films created in the former Soviet Union which have affected me in one way or another” explains Sergej Loznica, a fifty year old filmmaker, who became noticed thanks to his films My Joy and In the Fog, which were presented in Cannes, or this year’s intriguing document Maidan. “The Asthenic Syndrome is clearly my favourite. I was extremely impressed by the film when it was premiered. At that time, I had no idea I would become a filmmaker and Kira Muratova certainly contributed to my decision to pursue this profession. Her depiction of the Soviet society in the late 1980’s is exceptionally direct and brave. I was also mesmerized by its formal aspect, mainly by the director changing the style and genre in the course of the film” described Loznica.
The programme of the 2015 KVIFF includes also a short film by Sergej Loznica, entitled The Old Jewish Cemetery, which attempts to capture the magical atmosphere of a specific place in the Latvian capital city of Riga.
The full article by Zbyněk Vlasák is available in Tuesday’s Festival Daily.
Show time for The Asthenic Syndrome:
11/7 18.30 Cas Cinema
Show time for The Old Jewish Cemetery:
10/7 15.30 Cas Cinema
