Moscow Pride '06
Encyclopedia
Moscow Pride '06 is a documentary movie of the 2006 Gay pride parade in Moscow
.
festival in Russia’s capital from May 25 to May 27 2006.
Some focuses of the documentary include the Nordic festival, the Russian gay cultural contest, Merlin Holland’s lecture on his grandfather Oscar Wilde and the International Day Against Homophobia
(IDAHO) first World Conference.
Moscow Pride '06 also focuses on the troubles around the Kremlin
and Moscow City Hall
when participants gathered to protest the ban of the Pride march as well as the Tverskoi District Court decision to uphold Mayor Yuri Luzhkov’s decision to ban the march.
The movie is left as a vivid testimony and accurate picture of what took place in Moscow for history.
The film is not on the internet and not available on DVD. A copy can be obtained from the Russian LGBT Human Rights Project Gayrussia.ru
and ZDF
were among the guests.
After the first screening, protagonists of the movie and spectators declared:
Nikolai Alekseev
, Moscow Pride Chief Organizer said: “We are proud because this movie is an important work that will stay in history. It’s the first long documentary that deals with LGBT
issues which took place in Russia. This is a living testimony that will be distributed in Russia
and abroad. I am happy to see that a new generation of activists has emerged. Conformism and passivism are now behind us. We managed to generate passion and hope this finds its way into the hearts of many LGBT people in Russia and to revive the spirit of activism.”
Vadimir Ivanov, the Film Director said: “I am very proud that I took part in this event”. Mr Ivanov was also celebrating the same day his 60th Birthday and 35 years of his career in the Russian film industry.
Evgenia Debryanskaya, described Moscow Pride 2006 as “historical – an event that will stay in history forever”. Ms. Debryanskaya, leader of Russian lesbian movement, was arrested in front of Moscow City Hall on the day of the Pride.
Nikolai Baev, one of the organizers, said “We have succeeded in bringing the subject of homosexuality
into homes through the media”.
Vlad Ortanov, former editor of Argo, one of the oldest gay magazines in Russia, described the movie as “a great human historical document that will say a lot to the future generations”.
Nikolai Khramov, leader of the Russian Radicals movement at the time, the first political movement to support the Moscow Pride, insisted that “this movie shows that there was something strong behind the gay pride and not only a desire of a few people to go in the streets”.
Tamara B, who described herself as a heterosexual pensioner said: “Now, I understand what happened in Moscow and why they organized this action. But unfortunately, in the current political climate in Russia the majority of the population will never see it as it will be ignored by local TV.”
opened to Gay and Lesbian Movies.
During the festival, three screenings took place:
Nikolai Alekseev
, Vladimir Ivanov
, as well as Evgenia Debrianskaya attended the screenings in Berlin.
During the World Premiere of the film, on February 11, Wieland Speck
, the head of Panorama section and one of the founders of Teddy Award
for the best LGBT film, led a discussion on the movie. Volker Beck
, the German MP whose attack at Moscow Pride is shown in the Film, appeared to answer questions from the audience together with Nikolai Alekseev
, Vladimir Ivanov
and Evgenia Debryanskaya.
As an introduction to the movie Wieland Speck said from the stage:
“Even here in Berlin we had to appeal for the help of the police to avoid any incidents,” “This is further proof of the difficulties that the organisers and participants of the first Moscow Gay Pride have to face.”
Mr Speck was referring to the police presence in the theatre after threats of attacks from nationalists had been received prior to the Premiere. The presence of Mr. Speck is very rare at such screenings.
During the Teddy Awards Ceremony on February 16, Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit
introduced Nikolai Alekseev and Evgenia Debryanskay to the audience :
"Courageous organisers of the pride from Moscow, risking their lives, conducted the event in Russian capital which was banned by city authorities"
Volker Beck was also invited as a speaker during the ceremony. While he was sharing with the audience the difficulties faced by the LGBT community in Poland and Russia, images of his attack at Moscow Pride were shown on big screens.
The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) Film Festival presented the movie on Saturday 17th at the exclusive private screening room at the One Aldwych Hotel.
The movie was shown on Sunday 18th at 6.30 pm at the Stattkino during the Pink Panorama – LesBISchwules Festival Luzern. Before the screening, Nikolai Alekseev was invited to introduce the film and answered questions from the audience. The speech was moderated by Christoph Schmitt.
Moscow Pride
Moscow Pride is a demonstration of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered persons . It was intended to take place in May annually since 2006 in the Russian capital Moscow, but has been regularly banned by Moscow City Hall, headed by Mayor Yuri Luzhkov until 2010...
.
Synopsis
The documentary features the events that took place around the first Moscow PrideMoscow Pride
Moscow Pride is a demonstration of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered persons . It was intended to take place in May annually since 2006 in the Russian capital Moscow, but has been regularly banned by Moscow City Hall, headed by Mayor Yuri Luzhkov until 2010...
festival in Russia’s capital from May 25 to May 27 2006.
Some focuses of the documentary include the Nordic festival, the Russian gay cultural contest, Merlin Holland’s lecture on his grandfather Oscar Wilde and the International Day Against Homophobia
International Day Against Homophobia
The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia is celebrated every May 17.It is coordinated by the Paris based "IDAHO Committee" founded and presided by French academics, Louis-Georges Tin...
(IDAHO) first World Conference.
Moscow Pride '06 also focuses on the troubles around the Kremlin
Kremlin
A kremlin , same root as in kremen is a major fortified central complex found in historic Russian cities. This word is often used to refer to the best-known one, the Moscow Kremlin, or metonymically to the government that is based there...
and Moscow City Hall
Moscow City Hall
The former Moscow City Hall is an ornate red-brick edifice situated immediately to the east of the State Historical Museum and notable in the history of architecture as a unique hybrid of the Russian Revival and Neo-Renaissance styles. During Soviet times it served as the V. I...
when participants gathered to protest the ban of the Pride march as well as the Tverskoi District Court decision to uphold Mayor Yuri Luzhkov’s decision to ban the march.
The movie is left as a vivid testimony and accurate picture of what took place in Moscow for history.
The film is not on the internet and not available on DVD. A copy can be obtained from the Russian LGBT Human Rights Project Gayrussia.ru
First Private Screening in Moscow
The documentary was first screened during a private projection at the National Film Centre in Moscow where 60 guests gathered at the invitation of the film director and producer. German journalists from RTL TelevisionRTL Television
Rtl.de' redirects here. For other uses, see RTL.RTL Television , or simply RTL, is a German commercial television station distributed via cable and satellite along with DVB-T , in larger population centres...
and ZDF
ZDF
Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen , ZDF, is a public-service German television broadcaster based in Mainz . It is run as an independent non-profit institution, which was founded by the German federal states . The ZDF is financed by television licence fees called GEZ and advertising revenues...
were among the guests.
After the first screening, protagonists of the movie and spectators declared:
Nikolai Alekseev
Nikolai Alekseev
Nikolay Alexandrovich Alexeyev, also written in English as Alekseyev, Alekseev and Alexeev born on December 23, 1977 in Moscow) is a Russian LGBT rights activist, lawyer and journalist....
, Moscow Pride Chief Organizer said: “We are proud because this movie is an important work that will stay in history. It’s the first long documentary that deals with LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
issues which took place in Russia. This is a living testimony that will be distributed in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and abroad. I am happy to see that a new generation of activists has emerged. Conformism and passivism are now behind us. We managed to generate passion and hope this finds its way into the hearts of many LGBT people in Russia and to revive the spirit of activism.”
Vadimir Ivanov, the Film Director said: “I am very proud that I took part in this event”. Mr Ivanov was also celebrating the same day his 60th Birthday and 35 years of his career in the Russian film industry.
Evgenia Debryanskaya, described Moscow Pride 2006 as “historical – an event that will stay in history forever”. Ms. Debryanskaya, leader of Russian lesbian movement, was arrested in front of Moscow City Hall on the day of the Pride.
Nikolai Baev, one of the organizers, said “We have succeeded in bringing the subject of homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
into homes through the media”.
Vlad Ortanov, former editor of Argo, one of the oldest gay magazines in Russia, described the movie as “a great human historical document that will say a lot to the future generations”.
Nikolai Khramov, leader of the Russian Radicals movement at the time, the first political movement to support the Moscow Pride, insisted that “this movie shows that there was something strong behind the gay pride and not only a desire of a few people to go in the streets”.
Tamara B, who described herself as a heterosexual pensioner said: “Now, I understand what happened in Moscow and why they organized this action. But unfortunately, in the current political climate in Russia the majority of the population will never see it as it will be ignored by local TV.”
Selection at the 57th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale)
The documentary was selected at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2007 and presented in the official programme of section “Panorama Documente” of Berlinale. It also entered the competition for the Teddy AwardTeddy Award
The Teddy Award is an international film award for films with LGBT topics, presented by an independent jury as an official award of the Berlin International Film Festival . Here, an "independent jury" implies that its members are not officially selected by the committee of the Berlinale...
opened to Gay and Lesbian Movies.
During the festival, three screenings took place:
- Cinema Coliseum, on February 11 at 3.30 pm (World Premiere)
- Cinema CineStar 7, on February 14 at 8 pm
- Cinema CineStar 7, on February 15 at 2.30 pm
Nikolai Alekseev
Nikolai Alekseev
Nikolay Alexandrovich Alexeyev, also written in English as Alekseyev, Alekseev and Alexeev born on December 23, 1977 in Moscow) is a Russian LGBT rights activist, lawyer and journalist....
, Vladimir Ivanov
Vladimir Ivanov
Vladimir Ivanov may refer to:*Vladimir Ivanov , Russian badminton player*Vladimir Ivanov , Soviet boxer*Vladimir Ivanov , Bulgarian football player...
, as well as Evgenia Debrianskaya attended the screenings in Berlin.
During the World Premiere of the film, on February 11, Wieland Speck
Wieland Speck
Wieland Speck is a German film director, who since 1992 has coordinated "Panorama" at the International Filmfestival Berlin . Panorama showcases new films by established directors, as well as debut works by up-and-coming talents....
, the head of Panorama section and one of the founders of Teddy Award
Teddy Award
The Teddy Award is an international film award for films with LGBT topics, presented by an independent jury as an official award of the Berlin International Film Festival . Here, an "independent jury" implies that its members are not officially selected by the committee of the Berlinale...
for the best LGBT film, led a discussion on the movie. Volker Beck
Volker Beck
Volker Beck is a German politician. He is a sitting member of parliament for the Green Party in the Bundestag. Beck served as the Green Party Speaker for Legal Affairs from 1994–2002, and as the Green Party whip in the Bundestag since then...
, the German MP whose attack at Moscow Pride is shown in the Film, appeared to answer questions from the audience together with Nikolai Alekseev
Nikolai Alekseev
Nikolay Alexandrovich Alexeyev, also written in English as Alekseyev, Alekseev and Alexeev born on December 23, 1977 in Moscow) is a Russian LGBT rights activist, lawyer and journalist....
, Vladimir Ivanov
Vladimir Ivanov
Vladimir Ivanov may refer to:*Vladimir Ivanov , Russian badminton player*Vladimir Ivanov , Soviet boxer*Vladimir Ivanov , Bulgarian football player...
and Evgenia Debryanskaya.
As an introduction to the movie Wieland Speck said from the stage:
“Even here in Berlin we had to appeal for the help of the police to avoid any incidents,” “This is further proof of the difficulties that the organisers and participants of the first Moscow Gay Pride have to face.”
Mr Speck was referring to the police presence in the theatre after threats of attacks from nationalists had been received prior to the Premiere. The presence of Mr. Speck is very rare at such screenings.
During the Teddy Awards Ceremony on February 16, Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit
Klaus Wowereit
Klaus Wowereit is a German politician, member of the SPD , and has been the Mayor of Berlin since the 2001 state elections, where his party won a plurality of the votes, 29.7%. He served as President of the Bundesrat in 2001/02. His SPD-led coalition was re-elected in the 2006 elections...
introduced Nikolai Alekseev and Evgenia Debryanskay to the audience :
"Courageous organisers of the pride from Moscow, risking their lives, conducted the event in Russian capital which was banned by city authorities"
Volker Beck was also invited as a speaker during the ceremony. While he was sharing with the audience the difficulties faced by the LGBT community in Poland and Russia, images of his attack at Moscow Pride were shown on big screens.
Secondary screenings of the movie
- London, United Kingdom, March 2007
The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) Film Festival presented the movie on Saturday 17th at the exclusive private screening room at the One Aldwych Hotel.
- Luzern, Switzerland, November 2007
The movie was shown on Sunday 18th at 6.30 pm at the Stattkino during the Pink Panorama – LesBISchwules Festival Luzern. Before the screening, Nikolai Alekseev was invited to introduce the film and answered questions from the audience. The speech was moderated by Christoph Schmitt.
Short Version of the Documentary
A 12 minutes version of the documentary was produced just after the first Moscow Pride took place. It was first shown a day before the Torino Gay Pride (Italy) on June 16 2006 at 6pm at the Centro Congressi Regione Piemonte.See also
- Nikolai AlekseevNikolai AlekseevNikolay Alexandrovich Alexeyev, also written in English as Alekseyev, Alekseev and Alexeev born on December 23, 1977 in Moscow) is a Russian LGBT rights activist, lawyer and journalist....
- LGBT Human Rights Project Gayrussia.ru
- Moscow PrideMoscow PrideMoscow Pride is a demonstration of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered persons . It was intended to take place in May annually since 2006 in the Russian capital Moscow, but has been regularly banned by Moscow City Hall, headed by Mayor Yuri Luzhkov until 2010...
(Gay Pride in Moscow) - LGBT rights in Russia
- LGBT culture in RussiaLGBT culture in RussiaAlthough life in modern Russia allows many more liberties for gays and lesbians than it did before the Revolutions of 1989, unofficial discrimination and fear are still rampant. "It would be foolish to interpret some new freedoms as tolerance," said Igor Kon, a sociologist who is Russia's...
External links
- IMDB about Moskva Pride '06
- French Wikipedia about Louis-Georges Tin
- French Wikipedia about Clementine Autain