01/07/2002 - Moscow's 24th International Film Festival bestows Best Film on Tolstoj-based Resurrection

Another triumph for European - and Italian film at the 24th International Film Festival of Moscow with the victory of Paolo and Vittorio Taviani's Resurrection. Based on the novel by Leon Tolstoj, this Italian, French and German co-production stars Stefania Rocca and Timothy Peach and was a resounding success on Italian and French television earlier this year. The victory is especially sweet for Italy since last year's winner in this category was Ettore Scola with Unfair Competition.
The jury, presided over by Chingiz Aitmatov assigned the best director award to Russia's for Kukushka while the best actor accolade went to Wille Haapsalo. Iran won the jury's special prize for Arezou-ha-ye zamin - Earthly Desires directed by Vahid Mousain and Japan's Mikako Ichikawa won best actress for Blue.

(Translated from Italian)