The President said, in particular, in his message:
“Russia’s first feature film marked the dawn of a new type of art in our country, bringing something bright and new to people’s lives. This event was the first step on the Russian film industry’s road to success, and the prologue to the genuinely triumphant achievements of our cinema maestros. Russia’s best films have won the love of millions of viewers, earned international recognition and become part of the world’s cultural heritage.
Russian cinema has travelled a long way over this century, undergoing a transformation from technological novelty to a huge industry that employs hundreds of thousands of people with a most diverse range of skills. It is a fast-growing industry today and its renowned masters and talented newcomers are winning ever more awards at prestigious international festivals.
I am sure that this anniversary will serve to inspire new projects and ideas, and that even better and more interesting films await us. They are already in the thoughts and plans of the genuine professionals and the memorable and talented people who have always given Russian cinema its great name.”
The closing events marking 100 years of the Russian film industry are taking place on November 21. Events celebrating the anniversary have been taking place throughout the year. The anniversary is dated to the release in the autumn of 1908 of the first Russian feature film Ponizovaya Volnitsa, known to most viewers as Stenka Razin.