At "Kunaki" film festival, a jury member criticizes level of contest films

In Abkhazia, on the third day of the 11th North-Caucasian Open Film and TV Festival "Kunaki", 11 films were shown, including four dedicated to the Caucasus: "Murzakanians", "The Return of the Name", "My City of Baku", and "Come Being Free". The level of films on the theme of the Caucasus has grown significantly; however, the professionalism of the works is in general lower than in 2016. This opinion was expressed by film director Vyacheslav Ablotiya, a jury member.

Vyacheslav Ablotiya has distinguished the film "Come Being Free" directed by Ksenia Okhapkina. The film describes a story of people living in a Chechen mountainous village, who live "from war to truce," said Ilyas Bogatyryov, the film festival director. He has noted that the film is very professional, although its author is not an expert on the Caucasus.

A strong impression on the audience has been made by the Abkhazian film "The Return of the Name" about the project of the same name that helps people find their relatives who disappeared during World War II in 1941-1945.

According to project creator Grigory Skvortsov, during the years of World War II, out of 55,000 people who left for the front from Abkhazia, 8000 people were missed in action. Grigory Skvortsov has noted the authorities of the republic do not support the project.

The project creator has said the assistance was rendered by Mirab Kishmariya, Abkhazian Minister of Defence, and cadets of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) helped to search for relatives of the people missed in action. Besides, the local foundation also financed relatives' visits to places of burial.

The film "Murzakanians" directed by Esma Apsny describes a story about residents of the Gal District, who fell into difficult political circumstances.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.