Loznitsa's documentary "Imperium" wins Best Film at the London Film Festival
Sergei Loznitsa's documentary "Imperium," built from archival footage of Soviet life in the 1970s, has won the Best Film award at the London Film Festival. The festival is organized by the British Film Institute and was held for the 70th time.
"Imperium," a documentary by director Sergei Loznitsa, has won the award for best film at the London Film Festival, organized by the British Film Institute (BFI). It was the 70th edition of the event. The film is assembled from archival material and shows everyday life in the Soviet Union before the country's collapse, so the prize is a notable international recognition for the work.
Archival footage from Rome
"Imperium" is based on footage shot in the Soviet Union in the 1970s by Italian documentary filmmakers. Loznitsa found the material in Rome, at the Audiovisual Archive of the Workers' and Democratic Movement.
The film opens with a parade on Red Square. It then moves on to other regions of the country to show everyday life and celebrations.
What the jury said
The festival jury said "Imperium" offers a fresh perspective on life in the Soviet Union before its collapse. In its statement, the jury wrote that the film offers a broad view of life in a country with an extraordinarily diverse social and cultural landscape, many aspects of which have rarely appeared on screen.
The announcement does not name the other nominees for the award, and it does not specify where the film will be shown next.
