"I took a chance, but I won"

The Russian director is nominated for an Oscar. Konstantin Bronzit reached the finals of this race for the third time in his career, making it into the top five in the animated short film category. Moreover, the film "Three Sisters", for which he was nominated, was created under a pseudonym so that the author's reputation and fame could not influence the jury of the festivals where she went. Konstantin Bronzit told Izvestia shortly after the news of his nomination appeared about whether he would go to the ceremony in Los Angeles and when the picture would be released in Russia.

"I've put many years of work on the line"

— Konstantin Eduardovich, congratulations! Please tell us how it happened that this film was originally released under the pseudonym "Timur Kognov"?

— That's the story. Once upon a time, about ten years ago, I decided to test my own strength, do a "reset" and release the film simply under a pseudonym. Our festival circle of animators, especially famous ones, is very small, we all know each other, shuffle in the festival deck from the competition to the jury, then back. And in art, personal biases, people's love and dislike for each other always matter. This inevitably puts an imprint on the jury's judgment and assessments.

In general, it is difficult to achieve objectivity in art. And I tried to make the picture as detached as possible so that no one would know that it was Bronzite. In addition, there is a downside to fame. A big name, on the one hand, helps to promote the film, but on the other hand, it can ruin it somewhere - if, for example, someone does not like Bronzit. And so I released the members of the jury from this knowledge. Then they just watch the movie.

— It was a risk.

- of course. Because today the competition at festivals is monstrous. A thousand films are being sent to the competition program of major festivals! And when you're a "nouname," then, of course, you run the risk that they won't pay much attention to you. In short, I took a chance. I've put many years of work on the line, and I've been making movies for a long time, the work of many people, production funds, and so on. But I won.

Yes, the film was practically not taken to festivals. I'm not shy about talking about it. Despite all his qualities, he was drowning, they didn't notice him. Which is to be expected. But at the anniversary festival in America in Santa Barbara, he still won the main prize. And this allowed him to qualify for the Oscar — to be sent to the Academy. But I've already sent him to the Film Academy as Konstantin Bronzit.

— So the academics watched it, already knowing the author's real name?

- yes. Although I don't know how much it helped me. Or it didn't help.

— Do you think the academics knew the whole story about Timur Kognov?

— The Organizing Committee of the Film Academy knew, because I needed to sort it out (the discrepancy between the director's real name and what is indicated in the credits of the film. — Ed.). After all, it was necessary to attach a certificate of victory at the festival. But in the end, it wasn't that difficult.

— And those who voted?

— And they probably didn't know. But, really, someone might have known, because before the vote, a very large American magazine devoted to animation had an interview with me about it. And many academics could read it.

"The Academy looks at cinema, and European festivals look at the passport"

— Is it possible to predict something about the outcome of the final fight for the statuette?

"Well, it's a one—in-five chance. It's a lottery! How do I know? I can only say that the main competitor is the Butterfly movie. That's it. I knew he would be nominated. I knew that the list would start with him. The rest are less competitive.

— Do you think that the fact that you are from Russia can hinder the victory?

— If it had any effect, we wouldn't be talking to you right now. I wouldn't even make it to the shortlist. Fortunately, the academy is watching movies, they're about the profession. And the success of the "Three Sisters" is a direct proof. But European festivals are just looking at the passport today. And it's disgusting.

— Did you send this film to European festivals?

— I sent the film all over the world! Like Timur Kognov. But that's not the point. I just know that there is a declaration according to which European festivals do not accept Russian films today. This is just the "abolition of culture." But I emphasize that I started my campaign with a painting made under a pseudonym ten years ago. This has nothing to do with the current political situation.

— When will we be able to see the film in Russia?

— This is a question for the producers. I do not know, I am not the host of the movie. But I assure you they will. Because the system works in such a way that the pirates will take care of it.

— Will you go to the Oscars ceremony?

— Of course, I will go. Naturally.

— What about a visa to the United States? Will you get it in time?

— And I took care in advance. I applied for a visa last summer. I've planned everything, imagine my directorial audacity.