From the Cinematographers' Congress

Vladimir Khotinenko: Mikhalkov is a good director
Mikhalkov's report was quite vivid and brief as ever. Mikhalkov managed, at a minimum, to attract interest that had never existed in the sluggish, fading film industry. If this interest is orchestrated, like the congress itself, that’s very good. Mikhalkov is a very good director. I do not believe that a huge number of people gathered together are capable of listening to constructive proposals, because these proposals are very serious, they require close attention. People are not interested in this; they will get bored and fall asleep as soon as constructive proposals begin. A show is necessary, but how else could mass action take place? At the previous congress, when Mikhalkov put forward his candidacy, I was also nominated. But I withdrew my candidacy because I had no ideas, but he did. The congress is required to make some kind of conciliar decision, so the absolutely strategically correct move is to invite everyone. Of course, there are always disadvantages to such solutions, but today there are no other options. Otherwise, the same meaningless sluggish life of the union will continue.

Newspaper "Kommersant" No. 96 dated May 30, 1998, p. 9

Themes:

Film industry