Patriarch Kirill awarded director Kusturica with the Order of Seraphim of Sarov

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has awarded Serbian film director Emir Kusturica with the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, First Class, for his contribution to the preservation of traditional values. This is reported on Sunday, November 24, on the website of the Russian Orthodox Church.

"In attention to your contribution to the preservation of traditional values in society and in connection with the celebrated significant date, I believe it is fair to honor you with the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov (I degree)," Patriarch Kirill's words are quoted in the publication.

He also congratulated Kusturica on his 70th birthday. According to the patriarch, the multifaceted work of the director has become a hallmark of modern Serbian art. His films "are distinguished by good humor, bright and memorable images of heroes," he stressed.

It is also noted that Kusturica strives to talk about the evangelical ideals of love and brotherhood in his works.

Emir Kusturica shot such popular films as "Arizona Dream", "Underground", "Black Cat, White Cat", "Life as a Miracle," "Testament", "Along the Milky Way" and others. Recently released his documentary "People of Christ. Our Time" about the persecution of the canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

Earlier, on November 13, the Serbian director spoke about his work on a new film based on the novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky, which will be called "How I did not make "Crime and Punishment". He suggested that this work could be the best movie he has ever made. Kusturica emphasized that it will be exactly the interpretation of the work. According to the filmmaker, Dostoevsky is still relevant, and he is going to demonstrate the philosophy of the Russian writer through the prism of modern life. He added that in the future he intends to work with the works of Nikolai Gogol.

Prior to that, on September 18, Serbia hosted the premiere of the documentary "People of Christ. Our Time", on the creation of which Kusturica worked with screenwriter Jovan Markovic. The film focuses on the fate of Christianity in the modern world, including the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) by the Kiev authorities.