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Oscar nomination scandal over, Mikhalkov’s film to bid

"I can definitely say that Mikhalkov’s film will represent Russia in the best foreign language film nomination,” Vladimir Naumov said

MOSCOW, September 23 (Itar-Tass) —— The scandal over the nomination of Nukita Mikhalkov’s film for Oscar prize was over on Thursday as the Russian Oscar committee finally decided his “Burnt by the Sun-2. Citadel” would bid.

“Tonight we held an urgent meeting of the Presidium of the Academy and finally resolved all the issues. I can definitely say that Mikhalkov’s film will represent Russia in the best foreign language film nomination,” Vladimir Naumov, president of the National Academy of Cinema Art and Science and member of the Russian Oscar commission told Tass.

The scandal erupted after president of the Oscar commission and distinguished film director Vladimir Menshov refused to sign the decision to nominate Mikhalkov’s film and blamed committee members for being too affiliated with Mikhalkov. However Menshov admitted the decision to nominate Burnt by the Sun-2 would hardly be revised.

Naumov said “even the chairman of the committee has no right to cancel the decision.” His refusal to sign the protocol “damaged both the Russian cinematographer and the image of the whole country,” he said.

Menshov said if Mikhalkov’s film wins the Oscar “then we shall admit how wrong we were.”