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Malika Musaeva’s movie named best Russian debut at Spirit of Fire film festival

The Cage is Looking for a Bird is the Chechen-language debut of writer-director Malika Musaeva who studied under renowned Russian film director Alexander Sokurov

KHANTY-MANSIYSK, March 7. /TASS/. Malika Musaeva’s The Cage is Looking for a Bird was named the best Russian debut at the Spirit of Fire International Debut Film Festival, a TASS correspondent reported.

"It’s hard to make a start, make a debut. However, if you are guided by something that you’ve been through, what’s hurting you inside and what’s true, it becomes a bit easier. You find a prominent film director to teach you, you meet with strong producers and you definitely get an award. It’s about the main award here in Khanty-Mansiysk," said film director Alexey Mizgiryov, the chairman of the national competition jury.

The Cage is Looking for a Bird is the Chechen-language debut of writer-director Malika Musaeva who studied under renowned Russian film director Alexander Sokurov. The movie was initially scheduled to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival but Sokurov said in April 2022 that the creators had been turned down. The movie eventually received its world premiere at the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival.

The 21st Spirit of Fire International Debut Film Festival took place in the Russian city of Khanty-Mansiysk on March 3-6. Seven movies representing Russia, Japan, France, Argentina, India, Taiwan (China) and Iran were included in the festival’s international program and its Russian program included six pictures.

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