Magomed Suleimanov: status of film festival "Stalker" in Dagestan is not high enough

The 4th International Film Festival on Human Rights "Stalker", which was held in Makhachkala on June 23-27 and which had a charitable status, gathered full cinemas. Having watched the films, the audience discussed the issues raised in the films.

According to film director Magomed Suleimanov, one of the organizers of the festival, famous Russian film directors and actors from Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities came to Dagestan. However, he considers that the status of this film festival should be raised in the republic.

When asked about the results of the festival and the reason why it was held in Makhachkala, Magomed Suleimanov said that "20 years of economic and spiritual chaos led to people's degradation". "We need a spiritual and moral cleanup. For that reason I stood up for the festival holding in Makhachkala, where spectators could watch from the side themselves, their behaviour, learn something from the others, and communicate with the artists. And we achieved this goal," stressed Magomed Suleimanov.

"People arrive from distant cities of Russia notwithstanding frightening acts of terror and murders," says Magomed Suleimanov.

Diana Seryogina, a resident of Makhachkala, has watched almost all films. According to her, it was the authors' films, and all of them are worth attention. "These films give much food for thought, for a man to think about his role in life," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Diana Seryogina.

She noted that it was interesting to talk with the film directors and actors, to know about the tasks of the films. "It was interesting to learn about the situation of disabled persons in Russia and the problem of alcoholism," said the spectator.

According to Ms Seryogina, there were not many spectators in the cinemas. "However, they were permanent spectators who came to the first cinema shows and came on all the remaining days and had watched almost all films," said Diana Seryogina.