There were 12 Russian films in the competition, all of them testament to the wide range of subjects and treatments the film industry is now producing, despite the economic difficulties of the country
The following films were selected for competition:
Agape
Dir: Gennadi Baisak Scr: Alexei Timm Production: Kino Studios Sales: Conus, Roskomkino Running time: 80 mins. 35mm. Colour. Drama.
A homeless Muscovite inherits a fortune. But his plans to help his homeless friends are ruined by the Russian mafia.
What For?
Dir: Jerzy Kawalerowicz Scr: Pavel Finn, Jerzy Kawalerowicz, Valery Pendrakovsky, Alexander Bondarev Production:12A Studios Sales: Paradise Running time: 99 min. 35mm. Colour. Historical drama.
A young Polish officer and his wife are exiled to remote Southern Russia.They try to escape back to Poland. Based on the Tolstoy story.
Empire of Pirates
Dir: Grigor Gyardushyan Scr: Armen Vatyan, Alexander Tarasul Production: Yalta Film Studios, Russian-British Creative Asso, EAST-WEST Sales: Paradise Running time: 95 min. 35mm. Colour. Adventure/historical drama.
A French seawolf challenges the Inquisition and fights for his own ideals of freedom.
The Career of Arturo Ui
Dir: Boris Blank Scr: Pavel Finn Production and sales: Eurasia Film Studios Running time:105 min. 35mm. Colour. Drama.
A freely-based screen version of the Brecht play about the gangland boss who destroys both his friends and enemies in pursuing his ends.
Summertime People
Dir and scr: Sergei Oursulyak Production: Covsag Corp., East European Film Company, Roskomkino, Lefortovsky Bank Sales: Centre Scip Film. Running time: 97 min. 35mm. Colour. Drama.
The story of pre-revolutionary intellectuals; based on Gorky's play 'Summerhouse People'.
Masha and the Beasts
Dir and scr: Mikhail Yuzovski Production: Gorky Film Studios Sales: Alexei Maximovich Ltd Running time: 71 min. 35mm. Colour. Children's fairy tale.
A modern city girl enters a miracle world where she starts to communicate with animals, trees and plants.
Unbiased and Compassionate View
Dir: Alexander Soukhachev Scr: Renata Litvinova Production: Lenfilm with Roskomkino Sales: Lenfilm Running time: 95 min. 35mm. Colour. Psychological drama.
A lonely woman tries to find her own truth.
The Fatal Eggs
Dir: Sergei Lomkin Scr: Sergei Lomkin and Vladimir Gurkin Production: Ada-Film, Krug Studios of Mosfilm Corp., Trilobit Studios, Trek Cinema Running time: 119 min. 35mm. Colour. Fantasy drama.
The laboratory experiment of a pre-revolutionary scientist is tampered with by overzealous Bolsheviks and starts to generate huge monsters. Based on Bulgakov's novel.
This is Me, A Silly Girl
Dir and Scr: Zarii Khukhim Production and Sales: Diplomatia & Cinema Centre Running time: 72 min. 35mm. Colour. Drama.
The story of a young girl with an 'I do it my way' attitude.
I Can't Hold My Horses
Dir and scr: Vladimir Motyl Production: Arion Studios Sales: Sovexportfilm Running time: 105 min. 35mm. Colour. Drama.
Two young lovers encounter evil but find their own path to mutual understanding.
Lonely Gambler
Dir: Vladimir Basov Scr: Eduard Volodarsky Production: Slovo Production Company, Mavr Studios of Mosflim Corp., Germes Corp., in co-operation with Tran-palux, and with Roskomkino Running time: 95 min. 35mm. Colour. Drama.
A gifted young scientist loses at the races and becomes a sophisticated swindler.
The Tender Heart Will Win
Dir: Abai Karpykov Scr: Lelia Akhidzhanova and Abai Karpykov Production: Fora Film Studios, Kazakhfilm, Kazakhinfilm Running time: 92 min. 35mm. Colour. Adventure.
A new-wave Kazakh film about two young lovers who become involved in a treasure hunt that began a century before.
