Roman Polanski to Show His New Movie in Moscow

Roman Polanski's "The Pianist", which received three Oscars and the golden palm branch at the Cannes film festival, will be shown for the first time at the Pushkinsky movie theater/concert hall today.

Polanski himself came to Moscow for the presentation ceremony.

"The Pianist" tells the story of the Holocaust during the Second World War. I personally consider "The Pianist" as an opportunity to share my personal recollections and to narrate my childhood impressions and experiences in the Krakow ghetto, Polanski stressed.

Polanski emphasized the fact that he had never cooperated so closely with any other film crew in the past. Consequently, all awards that were received by "The Pianist" belong to the entire team, and not me alone, Polanski added. I tried to depict human behavior, i.e. that of the Germans, the Jews and the Poles, as accurately as possible, while filming "The Pianist"; moreover, I did my best to find the most authentic decorations and costumes, Polanski went on to say.

Polanski admitted that, as a student, he had watched quite a few Soviet movies, including such wonderful masterpieces as "The Ballad Of A Soldier" and "The Cranes Are Flying". We studied them, analyzed them, dreaming to create similar movies some time in the future, Polanski noted.

Polanski intends to spend two days in Moscow, subsequently leaving for Bucharest.