At the 11th OIFF one of the most famous Ukrainian directors will receive the Golden Duke award for his lifetime achievements
Ukrainian director, screenwriter and film producer Roman Balaian will receive the Golden Duke Award at the 11th Odesa International Film Festival for his lifetime achievements.
During his career he has made 15 films, wrote scripts for 7 films and produced two films.
“Usually honorary awards are given in respect to years of experience. I hope this is not the case. I would like to be worthy of the award and the meaning it inherents", Roman Balaian comments.
Roman Balaian started as a director in 1970 at the Kyiv Film Studio. He later taught at the Advanced Course for Screenwriters and Film Directors of the USSR State Committee for Cinematography. Roman Balaian calls himself a student of Sergei Parajanov.
His directorial debut took place in 1973. Roman Balaian's second film Biryuk was nominated for a Golden Bear at the 1977 Berlinale. And his feature film Flights in Dreams and in Reality in 1987 became a box-office hit of Soviet cinema. This film represents the tragedy of the generation that lived in the absurd realities of the late socialist regime.
"Roman Balaian is one of the most significant Ukrainian directors of our time. And although he himself does not like epithets like "legendary", he really is more than just a director. Roman Gurgenovich, like no other, is able to capture everyday life in such a poetic manner that the audience immediately falls in love with his work. It is really an honor for us to present the Golden Duke to him", Viktoriya Tigipko said, the President of the Odesa International Film Festival.
Biryuk, Flights in Dreams and in Reality, Two moons, three suns, Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District, Birds of Paradise are among the most famous films by Roman Balaian. He was nominated and won several international prizes. In particular, his film Guard Me, My Talisman won the Golden Tulip at the International Istanbul Film Festival and film Birds of Paradise was awarded "Nika" as “The Best Film of the CIS and Baltic Countries”. In 1997 Roman Balaian received the title of People's Artist of Ukraine (the highest title awarded to outstanding performing artists whose merits are exceptional in the sphere), and in 2001 - the title of Academician of the National Ukrainian Academy of Arts.
The 11th Odesa International Film Festival will take place online from 25 September to 3 October 2020.