Putin congratulates actor and director Emir Kusturica on his 70th birthday

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Serbian actor and director Emir Kusturica on his 70th birthday, noting his active public position.

"I cordially congratulate you on your 70th birthday. A man of courageous, multifaceted talent, a true artist - you have rightfully won fame as one of the most famous film directors of our time, established yourself as a sought-after actor, musician and writer, author of extraordinary creative projects. With their talented works wrote a bright page in the history of world art," - quotes the text of congratulations "RIA Novosti".

Putin also noted his "huge contribution to the realization of significant initiatives in the humanitarian sphere, aimed at strengthening trust and mutual understanding between peoples." The President wished Kusturica health, inspiration and success.

Emir Kusturica is a Serbian film director and actor who has won awards at major European film festivals, including two Palme d'Ors at the Cannes Film Festival. He is currently working on his first Russian-language film based on Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment. Shooting will take place in the summer of 2025 in the Krasnodar region.

Earlier, November 13, Kusturica predicted the film based on "Crime and Punishment" status of the best of his work. According to the filmmaker, Dostoevsky is still relevant because "everything has changed so much now." Kusturica is going to demonstrate the writer's philosophy through the prism of modern life.

In April, Kusturica told Putin of his intention to screen Tolstoy's novel "The Cossacks". He noted that this trilogy and the adaptation of the novel "Lavr" by Yevgeny Vodolazkin may be the final works in his directorial career.