Serbian director Emir Kusturica would like to get Russian citizenship if this process is not turned out to be too difficult for him, the director himself announced in an interview with the Russian agency TASS.
„I am already Russian. In connection with this document, it will become clear whether it is easy [to get Russian citizenship] or not. However, this is not as important as the fact that I already feel Russian”, answered Kosturitsa when asked about the reasons for his intention to obtain Russian citizenship.
The Sarajevo-born director already has two citizenships - Serbian and French, TASS recalls.
Serbian media quoted last week the Russian radio "Sputnik", according to which the all-Russian public movement “Veterans of Russia“ has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to grant Russian citizenship to the Serbian director.
„Emir Kusturitsa is a person who has always remained true to his ideals and words. His films are imbued with deep respect for tradition and spiritual values, which makes him close to the Russian people. We are convinced that giving him Russian citizenship will be an important step in strengthening the cultural ties between our peoples,“ said the chairman of the movement, Ildar Rezyapov.
"Sputnik" recalls that earlier Putin approved the plans of director Kusturica to shoot films in Russia. The radio station states that a Russian passport is required to work on films in Russia.
Kusturica also told TASS that in the near future he will start work on a film in which both Russian and Serbian actors will participate.
„As for cultural relations between Russia and Serbia, I will work on a film that will be shot in Serbia, America, Russia, and we can say that this is the first major project in which both Serbian actors, and Russian actresses and actors, a team will be formed from two countries”, he said.
Earlier in a conversation with TASS, the Serbian director said that the filming of a new film based on Dostoevsky's novel "Crime and Punishment" will take place in the summer of 2025, but preparations for it will begin at the end on January. According to him, the film will be shot at the Moschino Film Center, as well as in Serbia and France, and both Russian and Serbian actors will play in the film. However, he did not specify which actors have already been approved for the roles, this will be known at the end of January.