Mr. Budraitis is the first EU representative to receive the award, which was bestowed at the opening of the 20th International Listapad Film Festival, at Minsk’s Palace of the Republic, by Belarus’ Minister of Culture, Boris Svetlov. Mr. Budraitis thanked him for the great honour and admitted that he enjoys working with Belarusian actors, having recently played the protagonist in Belye Rosy. He notes, “I’m grateful for such a high award for my modest contribution and delighted to have gained close acquaintance with Belarusian actors and with Belarus. I hope to work with them again.” Mr. Budraitis then wished the Listapad Film Festival prosperity for years to come.Mr. Budraitis’ filmography includes over 60 films, including such classics as Two Comrades Were Serving (1968), With You and Without You (1973); Wounded Game (1976); Rich Man, Poor Man (1984); Dangerous Age (1981); Russian Revolt (2000); Down House (2001); and Collector (2001). From 1996 to 2011, he worked as Culture Attachй at the Lithuanian Embassy to Russia and was the Embassy’s Counsellor-Minister.
Remarkably, the famous actor is also a photographer, having been taking shots of colleagues for twenty years. Some of his subjects are now no longer with us of course. Mr. Budraitis’ photographic exhibition — My Cinema — was held during the days of the festival, to great acclaim. Meanwhile, he carried his camera with him, taking shots where inspiration took him.
The ‘Preservation and Development of Traditions of Spirituality in Cinematic Art’ special prize is awarded to participants of film festivals for special achievements in cinematography and for their significant contribution to upholding humanitarian and spiritual-moral ideals in cinematography. In previous years, the prize has ben bestowed on Georgy Zhzhenov, Mikhail Ptashuk, Klara Luchko, Oleg Yankovsky, Piotr Todorovsky, Vladimir Gostyukhin, Elina Bystritskaya, Vasily Lanovoy, Gennady Garbuk, Emir Kusturica, Bogdan Stupka and Karen Shakhnazarov.
The 20th Minsk International Listapad Film Festival has now closed, organised by the Centre of Visual and Performance Arts Art Corporation. The founders are the Minister of Culture of Belarus and Minsk City Executive Committee, with assistance from the Belarusian TV and Radio Company, Belarusfilm National Film Studio and the Belarusian Union of Cinematographers.
