13 Russian films that were nominated for an Oscar

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Despite criticism and negative statements about Russian filmmakers, they still know how to create real masterpieces. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, even in the most difficult times, they still tried to shoot high-quality films. And over the past thirty years, more than once films made by our compatriots have become nominees (and winners) of the most prestigious Oscar awards.

"Urga: Territory of Love", 1993 nominee - "Best Foreign Language Film"

Nikita Mikhalkov's film won many prestigious awards, but the Oscar did not submit to him. Surprisingly, the script of the film, which so triumphantly passed through the screens of the country and the world, contained only 12 pages of text. And the picture itself was called by many critics and viewers "art of the highest standard."

Burnt by the Sun 1995 Winner - Best Foreign Language Film

Nikita Mikhalkov acted in this film not only as a director. He is the author of the script (together with Rustam Ibragimbekov) and one of the main roles. The poignant story won an Oscar and won the Grand Prix of the Jury at the Cannes Film Festival.

Gagarin, 1996 nominee - Best Animated Short Film

Despite the fact that the animated film directed and screenwriter Alexei Haritidi failed to win an Oscar, it won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for Best Short Film.

"Prisoner of the Caucasus", nominated for 1997 - "Best Foreign Language Film"

The film by Sergei Bodrov Sr. was shot based on the story of the same name by Leo Tolstoy, and the filming itself took place during the Chechen war in the immediate vicinity of hostilities. Local partisans acted as bodyguards for the film crew.

The Thief, nominated for 1998 - Best Foreign Language Film

The film by Pavel Chukhrai did not win an Oscar, but at the 1997 Venice Film Festival he took three awards at once: the Gold Medal of the President of the Senate, the Prize of the International Youth Jury and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Prize.

Mermaid, nominated for 1998 - Best Animated Short Film

The 10-minute cartoon by Alexander Petrov is based on ancient beliefs that a girl who took her own life by drowning herself turns into a mermaid, and then lures gullible young men to the bottom of the lake.

The Old Man and the Sea, Winner 2000 - Best Animated Short Film

Filmmakers from Russia, Canada and Japan took part in the creation of the cartoon by Alexander Petrov, based on the work of the same name by Ernest Hemingway, but he was nominated for the film award from Russia. The touching story of friendship between a little village boy and an old fisherman did not leave indifferent either the audience or the respected film critics.

"12", 2008 nominee - "Best Foreign Language Film of the Year"

Nikita Mikhalkov's film won the Audience Award at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival and the "Special Lion" at the Venice Film Festival, but this time the Oscar was not submitted to the famous Russian director.

"My Love", 2008 nominee - "Best Animated Short Film"

This is not the first animated film by Alexander Petrov to be nominated for an Oscar. But so far, only the cartoon "The Old Man and the Sea" has been able to win the award.

Toilet Story - Love Story, 2009 nominee - Best Animated Short Film

The ten-minute film by Konstantin Bronzit is about love. Incredible, clean and ordinary. But in 2009 he lost an Oscar to Japanese director Kunio Kato and his cartoon House of Small Cubes.

Leviathan, 2015 nominee - Best Foreign Language Film

Andrei Zvyagintsev's painting caused a lot of controversy, both among spectators and among critics. She could not win an Oscar, but she won the second most important international award - the Golden Globe in the nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, and at the Cannes Film Festival she won the prize for the best screenplay.

We Can't Live Without Space, 2016 nominee - Best Animated Short Film

The animated film by Konstantin Bronzit could not win an Oscar, but, in the opinion of critics and viewers, it became a real little masterpiece, telling about two friends who go towards their cherished dream.

Dislike, 2018 nominee - Best Foreign Language Film

Andrei Zvyagintsev's film could not win the Oscar, but viewers and critics around the world were able to appreciate the director's skill and the talented acting of the actors.

The coveted golden statuette is the dream of directors and actors, screenwriters and composers who create soundtracks for films. Throughout the history of Soviet cinema only a few films have received this major award. And there weren't so many Oscar nominees from the Soviet Union.