NEWS

Director Raul Geidarov revealed the details behind the creation of the film «Sydney Lumet’s Birthday.» During a meeting with the audience, he described how his personal experience formed the basis for the screenplay about Dato, a Georgian teen who dreams of a career in directing. Geidarov explained that shooting with a handheld camera in southern Russia was driven by both a limited budget and the desire to achieve a sense of presence. He also noted the difficulties in coordinating the actors' schedules and defended his right to shoot on location, preserving the southern flavor. The film, which has already won the top prize at «Windows to Europe» and three awards from the Guild of Film Critics, was released on January 29, 2026, and is available on Kinopoisk and Wink starting April 5.