Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov calls for Eurasian alternative to the Oscars

Film director and head of the Russian Cinematographers’ Union Nikita Mikhalkov has called for the creation of a Eurasian alternative to the Oscars, according to RIA Novosti.

“I think that today there is a certain taboo, our culture and literature face a certain barrier [...]. As for our country, especially in today’s situation, we would like another voice to be heard in the world,” said Mr Mikhalkov.

According to the director, the new film prize must be awarded by “representatives of our country, China, India, all those who are part of the Eurasian world”. Mikhalkov also noted that the idea was met with enthusiasm in China and India.

Mikhalkov’s film Sunstroke (2014) was nominated by Russia this year for the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category, but missed out on the shortlist of nine contenders for the prize. Mikhalkov cited prejudice against Russia as the rationale for the judges’ decision.

Source: Lenta (in Russian)