RAWALPINDI: Russian Cinema Days kicked off on Saturday with the screening of two movies at Raiha Cinegold Plex in Bahria Town PhaseVII as part of an effort to develop people-to-people contacts.
The Russian embassy has arranged the screening of four of the best Russian movies at cinemas in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad free of cost, and invited people to watch the movies to understand Russian culture through cinema. All films are being screened in Russian with English subtitles.
Russian Embassy Cultural and Educational Attaché Gleb Shubin and other embassy officials watched the movies with the local audience and sought their views.
He emphasised cinema’s universal language, calling it a powerful tool that bridges borders and brings communities closer.
On the inaugural day, the movie The Golden Key: A New Pinocchio Story, directed by Igor Voloshin, was screened at the cinema, where a large number of local families watched it.
The movie is a fantasy, adventure and family film. The film stars popular Russian singer Vanya Dmitrienko and actor Mark Eydelshteyn, who has been nicknamed the ‘RussianTimothée Chalamet’.
It is a new adaptation of the beloved international fairy tale by Alexei Tolstoy. One day, Papa Carlo comes into possession of an ancient magical key that can grant any wish. A lonely craftsman has only one dream. His wish seems to come true when a piece of wood magically comes to life, giving birth to Pinocchio, a clever, cheerful and mischievous wooden boy.
Carlo loves his son dearly, but Pinocchio soon realises that he is different from everyone else.
Determined to prove that he is a good and loving son, he sets off on a long and thrilling journey filled with adventure, wonder and unexpected challenges.
The second movie was Baby, made in 2026 and directed by Andrey Simonov. It is a deeply psychological drama about how war reshapes a young man who never imagined he would find himself on the battlefield.
In 2022, 18-year-old Dima, an ordinary guy from Donetsk whose life revolves around rap and dreams of fame, faces a devastating test.
When he learns that his mother is trapped in besieged Mariupol and has stopped responding to his calls, he puts his music career aside and volunteers to join an assault unit in an attempt to save her.
In the war-torn city, he is assigned to a unit known as ‘Bug’, where the youngrecruit receives the call sign ‘Baby’. As he confronts the brutal realities and horrors of war, Dima undergoes profound internal changes. The onceimmature teenager is forced to grow up quickly, transforming into a mature, resilient and courageous warrior.
The embassy officials said that onSunday, two films will be screened: Chebi 2 (My Fluffy Friend), directed by Dmitry Dyachenko, and Angels of Ladoga, directed by Alexander Kott.
Chebi 2 (My Fluffy Friend)is a charming family adventure featuring Cheburashka, one of the most beloved and iconic characters in Russian popular culture.
Cheburashka has been living with Gena for a year, but as the little one grows up, their friendship is put to the test.
Cheburashka begins to show more independence while Gena struggles to teach him responsibility and good manners.
When they are invited to Sonya’s lavish birthday party, Cheburashka accidentally causes chaos andruins the celebration. Fearing another argument with Gena, he secretly runs away to the mountains with Sonya and Grisha.
What begins as an escape soon turns into an exciting anddangerous adventure, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and unexpected challenges. When the adults discover that the children are missing, they put their differences aside and join forces to bring them home.
Along the way, everyone learns an important lesson about family, trustand the importance of listening to one another.
The second film, Angels of Ladoga, directed by Alexander Kott, is a historic, tear-jerking war drama set during one of the most tragic periods in Russian history, the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.