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Russian filmmaker hails Iranian cinema, extols Majidi’s global stature
Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov praised Iranian cinema, calling Majid Majidi “one of the best filmmakers in the world.”
The veteran filmmaker said that the “one-sided structure” of Western media had long overshadowed talents like Majidi, IRNA reported.
Mikhalkov, head of the Moscow International Film Festival and a former winner at Iran’s Fajr International Film Festival, made the remarks during a meeting with Raed Faridzadeh, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Culture and head of its Cinema Organization.
Speaking at the Russian Cultural Foundation, Mikhalkov said that one of the key goals of the newly launched Eurasia Academy of Cinematic Sciences is to embrace diverse cinematic voices—including Iran’s.
He noted that while Iranian cinema operates on tighter budgets compared to Hollywood, it stands out for its “human depth” and “emotional clarity.”
“Money isn’t always the issue,” he said, referring to Majidi’s work. “He has shown that even with limited resources, one can create extraordinary films.” Mikhalkov also praised Majidi’s large-scale project ‘Muhammad: The Messenger of God,’ calling it “exceptionally executed.”
Faridzadeh, in turn, welcomed Mikhalkov’s initiative and highlighted Iran and Russia’s longstanding cultural ties.
He expressed hope that the two countries would soon roll out joint film productions, describing Eurasia’s film academy as “a step in the right direction.”
During the meeting, Iran proposed strategies to enhance the academy’s regional role—proposals Mikhalkov reportedly received warmly.
He also expressed interest in visiting Iran to explore collaborative opportunities first-hand.
The Eurasia Academy, backed by Russia’s Ministry of Culture, officially launched on April 21, with delegates from 22 countries attending its opening ceremony in Moscow. It aims to serve as a platform for regional cooperation and cinematic exchange across Eurasia.