Kaliningrad Hosts 13th Yury Ozerov International Festival of War Films

On 14 October the 13th Yury Ozerov International Festival of War Films opened in Kaliningrad with the support of the Russkiy Mir Foundation. The festival commenced with a press conference at the Government House of the Kaliningrad Region. Alexey Silanov, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Kaliningrad Region, noted in his opening speech that Kaliningrad was chosen as the venue for a good reason.

70 years ago Yuri Ozerov participated in the offensive towards Königsberg. He received a medal for his services. It was in Königsberg that Yuri Ozerov made a life-changing decision to become a film director and show the horrors of world wars in his art.

Films devoted to the Great Patriotic war benefit the culture of the region and help the audience understand how difficult life was in the distant times of the war. The battle of Königsberg alone claimed the lives of 600,000 soldiers and officers. 

The flower-laying ceremony at the Eternal Flame and the monument to 1,200 guardsmen who died in the battle was attended by over 150 people, along with the Silent Drill Platoon of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Federation, First Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Kaliningrad Region Alexei Silanov, Minister of Culture of the Kaliningrad Region Svetlana Kondratyeva, Deputy Ministers of Education and Social Policy, People’s Artists of Russia A. Goloborodko, A. Pokrovskaya and A. Pyatkov, Distinguished Artist of Russia G. Bokashevskaya, Golden Pen of Rus award winner I. Lifanov, Kaliningrad-based writer O. Yershov, Deputy Chairman of the Union of Veterans of Russia Major General V. Romanenko, Major General Yu. Bychenkov, veterans of the Great Patriotic War, students, schoolchildren and media representatives. The pedestal was adorned with hundreds of crimson roses symbolizing the blood of our soldiers fallen in the battle of Königsberg. The brass band of the Baltic Fleet performed the Russian hymn and the Silent Drill Platoon marched past the monument.

Two hours later, the red carpet event started at the regional Art Center. All members of the flower-laying ceremony attended, with actor and director Sergei Makhovikov fresh off the plane. Kaliningrad gave a warm welcome to the guests. The venue at the opening ceremony was packed. The first prize “For Excellence in Acting” named after Vlad Galkin was awarded to Igor Lifanov by the Acting Governor of the Kaliningrad Region Alexei Silanov. This prize traditionally awarded at the opening ceremony has existed for five years. Its winners include A. Bordukov, A. Kravchenko, F. Bondarchuk and K. Pletnev, all of whom acted in Vlad Galkin’s films.

“I would like to thank all actors and directors who give us an insight into those dreadful times. These films reflect history that left an indelible imprint in our memories,” said Minister of Culture of the Kaliningrad Region Svetlana Kondratyeva.

“Wars divide nations, bringing grief and tears, while the Yury Ozerov International Festival of War Films helps people understand each other, strengthens creative cooperation and friendship, brings everyone together,” continued Alexander Musevich, Chairman of the Committee on International and Inter-regional Relations, Security and Public Order of the Regional Duma.


The concert concluded with a performance by the song and dance ensemble of the Baltic Fleet. People’s Artist of Russia Alexander Pyatkov sang the Viennese Waltz that he had performed earlier in Bulgaria during the “Echo of Yuri Ozerov War Films Festival” supported by the Russkiy Mir Foundation.

The festival goes on, with many film directors, producers and stars arriving from abroad, including China. Screenings will take place at 16 locations. Among the attendants will be the chairman of the live-action film jury Mikhail Nozhkin, actors Alina Pokrovskaya, Alexander Goloborodko, Alexander Pyatkov, Boris Klyuev, Yuri Nazarov, Igor Lifanov, Sergei Makhovikov, Igor Ugolnikov, Maria Kozhevnikova, Ilya Avramenko (the cast and crew of the film The Battalion); actor Yuri Borisov, Milan Cisler (Czech Republic), mother of border guard Evgeny Rodionov Lyubov Rodionova, Army General Mikhail Moiseev, Major General Vladimir Romanenko and members of the State Duma of the Russian Federation.