Aleksandr Sokurov's Film Russian Ark at the 55th Cannes Festival

On 21-23 May, 2002, Aleksandr Sokurov's new film Russian Ark represented Russia at the 55th International Film Festival in Cannes. The Russian Ark team headed by Aleksandr Sokurov arrived to France to take part in the first show in the Cannes basic program. The Hermitage Director Professor Mikhail B. Piotrovsky and Deputy Director Vladimir Yu. Matveyev took part in the premiere on behalf of the State Hermitage Museum. Aleksandr N. Sokurov received no awards in Cannes. The Hermitage Director noted, ''It's a shame that Russian Ark was not awarded. Nevertheless it is a film of genius made not for a sport competition.''