“French St.Petersburg and Russian Paris”

July 12, the premiere of the film "French Petersburg" took place, it is the joint work of students of creative specialties of St.Petersburg State University of Film and Television and the International Film School of Paris EICAR. The film combined wonderful stories of the French emigrants in St. Petersburg, such as the coordinator of French events, the French teacher and a bar owner.

The student international film project "Troika" was organized within the framework of the international collaboration between SPUFT and EICAR.

French students made a documentary film about the life of their compatriots in St. Petersburg within two weeks. At the same time a similar film in Paris was shooted by Russian crew.

Anna Dranitsyna, the curator of International film project Troika , senior lecturer of the Department of Television Directing:

    - We are trying to make quality cinema to show it on film festivals. It is very difficult, because the timing of the completion of the project is limited - two weeks. It`s not enough to complete everything we wanted, and now the guys are sitting back in the editing room to finish the project. On the one hand, the process of communicating and working is important for such projects. Sure, it is. But I set up the group to have a result. After all, in our profession, we are always working under pressure of some deadline - whether it's handing in a movie in the State Committee of Cinematography or to a private client or release of the TV program.

 

The work of French students has been organizing as in a big movie. All the duties were assigned according to the specialty or wishes - a camera crew, sound engineers, scriptwriting and directing group, editors, producers and journalists. The volunteers rendered a great help.

    - Not the first time I catch myself thinking that I am proud of our Russian guys, - said Anna Dranitsyna. - They are much more adapted to the tough conditions of limited terms than foreigners are. They can not eat, not sleep, but it will be done on time and with good results.

    - I came to Russia to learn how to make a movie here - shared Jorma. - I am very interested in the differences in the production of films. I want to get to know another culture. I love movies and travel, so when I was offered the opportunity to go to Russia, I said, "Yes! I`ll go!".

    - One of the heroes of our film lived in Switzerland, and then came to St. Petersburg. Without a plan, just traveling. He started work as a teacher of French. He was difficult to adapt, but now he really likes his life, and he wants to stay in St. Petersburg - told Jorma. - However, in the near future, our hero must return to France because his visa is expiring, and he must make a new one. This is the only thing that he warries about.

According to the French students, they are very good in Russia, and they are grateful to the host side for the warm welcome, the care and the experience that they have received here.

    - All we were told before, that the Russian souls are cold, that Russians are closed is not true - said Mathias. - Russian people are very positive and cheerful.
 

The premiere of the documentary "French Petersburg" with showing on the big screen, champagne and presentation of diplomas was held on 12 July. French students decided to stay in our city for a longer period, to see the sights without haste.