Haifa Film Festival to Feature Zvyagintsev, Russian-Language Films

The 42nd Haifa International Film Festival will take place from September 26 to October 3, coinciding with the Sukkot holiday. The festival will screen eight days of premieres, festival hits, new Israeli films, and special presentations. This year's program includes a notable selection for Russian-speaking audiences, with six films offered with Russian translation: "De Gaulle: Resistance," "De Gaulle: Freedom," "Three Days in September," "Electric Kiss," "The Wizard of the Kremlin," and "I Am Another." Additionally, Andrey Zvyagintsev's new film, "Minotaur," will be shown in Russian.

"Minotaur," directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev, is a prominent film in the festival lineup. It tells the story of Gleb, a successful company executive whose life unravels due to business pressures, political shifts, and personal issues, exploring themes of power, fear, and moral choices. The film premiered at Cannes, where it received the Grand Prix and an award for its score. Israeli actor Anatoly Bely stars in a key role.

"The Wizard of the Kremlin" by Olivier Assayas focuses on Vadim Baranov's rise from artist and reality show producer to political consultant for Vladimir Putin in 1990s Russia, depicting the creation of a new political reality where truth and manipulation blur. The festival will also feature two parts of a historical drama about Charles de Gaulle: "De Gaulle: Resistance," about his decision to continue fighting after France's defeat in 1940, and "De Gaulle: Freedom," which follows his post-war political struggles.

Other films include Tudor Giurgiu's "Three Days in September," about a runaway bride's strange journey; "I Is Another," a psychological drama set in 1952 Germany exploring the claims of Heinrich Himmler's former masseur; and Petter Ness's political satire "No Comment," about a scandal threatening a prime minister's career.

The festival will open on September 26 with Avi Nesher's new film "Our Loves," his 21st directorial work. Nesher, a renowned Israeli filmmaker, will also receive a festival award for his contributions to cinema and Israeli culture. The film follows seven characters whose lives intertwine amidst personal crises, with events on October 7 prompting them to re-evaluate their past, relationships, and futures, offering a story of love, loss, pain, and hope deeply connected to Israeli history.