Russian film gets grand prize at Moscow Film Festival

Dmitry Meskhiyev's Svoi (Us) film has won the grand prize of the 26th Moscow International Film Festival. The reward was bestowed by British film director Alan Parker who presided over the jury.

In addition, Meskhiyev won the best production reward for the film. Ukrainian actor Bogdan Stupka received the best actor prize for his part in Svoi.

The best actress prize went to China Zorilla for "Talking With Mom."

A special prize was rewarded to "Revolution of Pigs," a film by an Estonian director.

Meryl Streep received the Stanislavsky prize at the festival from Alex Prier, the great director's 13-year-old great-grandson. The prize is rewarded to the best actress at the Moscow film festival.

The boy with a unique voice sang for the famous actress who listened to him on her knees.

Meryl Streep said at the ceremony that it was a great honor to receive the Stanislavsky prize as the Russian theater reformer's method had helped her in her profession a great deal. She added that the profession continued to be mystery to her despite her immense experience.

Streep believes that people need stories played by actors as their spiritual food, and they promote rapprochement between peoples.

The best actress prize went to China Zorilla ("Talking with Mom").

Japanese director Hideta Tahata's "Hotel Venus" was awarded the best film prize in the Perspectives contest.

Festival Director Nikita Mikhalkov praised in closing remarks the composition of the jury that was headed by Alan Parker, the greatest director of the present day.

Mikhalkov said Russia had advanced three films to the festival, which was a sign of Russian cinematography's revival.