Photo credit: Janet Donovan
Nothing says ‘you’re in for a good time’ faster than being greeted at an event with a glass of Russian Standard Vodka! Such was the case at the 2014 Russian Gala: Photojournalism to Cinematography 1914-2014 held at the National Geographic Society building honoring Karen Shakhnazarov, Chairman of the Board of Mosfilm, and National Geographic Society’s Gilbert Grosvenor, Chairman Emeritus.
“For me it has been a steady pleasure in dealing with Russia no matter who is in charge of the place,“ TH Jim Symington, Chairman of the Board, told Hollywood on the Potomac. “I went there as a student in 1958, learned some Russian, took my guitar and met a lot of wonderful people and began sharing ideas with them. When I got back to the States, I began taking a message to Congress.” After a series of Government positions, Symington was elected to four terms representing Missouri in the US House of Representatives, where he chaired the subcommittee on International Cooperation. He was part of a group that founded the nonprofit American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation in 1992, to support increased cultural exchange between the US and Russia, of which he is now Chairman of the Board. “It’s been a labor of love,” he added.
T.H. James Symington
The American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation (ARCCF) and American University’s Initiative for Russian Culture (IRC) co-hosted the memorable black-tie Gala event honoring the role photojournalism and cinematography play in promoting greater cultural understanding between the U.S. and Russia. Gala Chair Susan Carmel Lehrman created a Mosfilm inspired movie set as the backdrop for the evening, which featured world-renowned Russian music, dance and song ensemble Barynya.
Susan C. Lehrman (R) Photo courtesy of Imagelink
“A century ago, National Geographic Magazine published Gilbert Grosvenor’s cover story entitled: Young Russia, the Land of Unlimited Possibilities. Tonight, we honor that ground-breaking cover piece by bestowing the Foundation Award for the National Geographic Society to his grandson and Chair Emeritus, Gilbert Grosvenor,” said Lehrman. “I also want to take this moment to thank the National Geographic Society’s Chairman of the Board John Fahey, who has so graciously opened these doors for our celebration. This year also marks the 90th Anniversary of Mosfilm Studios, Russia’s largest and most prestigious movie production company. We are honored to mark this great occasion by bestowing the Foundation Award to famed film director and head of Mosfilm Studios Karen Shakhnazarov for his contributions to building cultural bridges with cinematic masterpieces. I hope you feel at home tonight, Mr. Shakhnazarov, since we’ve created our own version of a production set for our festivities.”
Director Karen Shakhnazarov Photo courtesy of Imagelink
Foundation Awardee, Film Director and Head of Mosfilm Studios Karen Shakhnazarov, in discussing cultural relations between our two nations, said that he agrees with Norman Mailer who in 1986 wrote: “If sympathy between Russians and Americans really exists, and it undoubtedly exists, this feeling comes first and foremost from their love for Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Turgenev and Chekhov from one side and for Whitman, Mark Twain and Hemingway from the other.”
Former Chief of Protocol “Lucky” Roosevelt with Amb. John R. Beyrle Photo courtesy of Imagelink
Hollywood on the Potomac sat down with director Karen Shakhnazarov and Amb. John R. Beyrle:
His Excellency Sergey I. Kislyak – Ambassador of The Russian Federation to the United States:
