'White Tiger' Named Best Russian Movie at Golden Eagle Ceremony

MOSCOW – Karen Shakhnazarov’s Bely Tigr (White Tiger) was awarded as 2012’s best Russian movie at the Golden Eagle ceremony, which was held at Moscow’s film studio Mosfilm on Jan. 25.

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The $11 million World War II drama, focused on the story of a Russian tankman who nearly gets killed when his tank burns down but eventually recovers to fight a mysterious Nazi “White Tiger” tank, was Russia’s contender in the best foreign-language movie Oscar race this year, but didn’t make the long list.

At the Golden Eagle ceremony, White Tiger also picked up awards for the best music, best sound and best editing.

Andrei Proshkin collected the best director award for his movie Orda (The Horde), a period piece set in the 14th century. Last year, the film already brought Proshkin the best director’s award at the Moscow International Film Festival. The Horde was also awarded for the best cinematography, best set design and best costume design, while its writer Yuri Arabov received the best screenplay award.

Danila Kozlovsky, the star of Roman Prygunov’s Dukhless (Soulless), was awarded as the best actor, and Anna Mikhalkova collected the best actress award for her role in Rezo Gigineishvili’s Lyubov S Aktsentom (Love with an Accent).

Viktoria Tolstoganovawas awarded as the best supporting actress for her role in Alexei Andrianov’s Shpion (Spy), and Andrei Smolyakov received the best supporting actor award for his role in Pyotr Buslov’s Vysotsky. Spasibo, Chto Zhivoy (Vystotsky. Grateful to be Alive).

Veteran cinematographer Vadim Yusov, who worked with Andrei Tarkovsky and Sergei Bondarchuk, collected a lifetime achievement award.