Last November, the XXVIII Minsk International Film Festival “Listapad” took place in the Belarusian capital. His motto was “True Values.” Chairman of Listapad, People’s Artist of Belarus, film director Alexander Vasilyevich Efremov commented on the concept and program of the updated film festival: “The viewer comes to the hall for a certain mood. We ate chernukha. They wanted cinema and art in general to convince us that life is interesting and there is happiness in it.”
At the same time, the film director added that “lately, “Listapad” has become more “spectator-friendly”, films are shown that are understandable to everyone… When you make a movie, you hope that you will not be alone in the hall, but that someone else will gather and watch your movie. Cinema is made for the viewer.”
In another interview, Alexander Vasilyevich continued the topic and said the following: “The main thing in cinema is the meaning and the moral values that it carries. And seeing what a crisis is now observed in the West in the moral aspect, I want to send the West and its “level” to hell.”
Why exactly on the eve of the premiere of Alexander Efremov’s new film “Waiting List” did we present here such lengthy quotes from interviews already published in the media? Because this is literally a documented fact: Efremov’s words never diverge from deeds. If he has an opinion on something, it means that this is a deeply thought-out opinion, not to please the situation, but existing a priori, as one of the components of his creative credo.
Efremov was always true to his convictions. No one will ever dare to claim that Alexander Vasilyevich filmed something that contradicts his views, for the sake of the market situation or for the simple purpose of making money. Not a single film made by the filmmaker proclaims dubious or simply “fashionable” truths: Efremov does not play “tolerance”, does not go into topics that are alien to him, but can advantageously “fit” into the concept of some literary festival. The director makes a movie that will be understandable to everyone and will appeal to a person with an established worldview, with a system of values that are commonly called universal. True.
Another quote from a newspaper interview: “I’m not a big fan of watching my films, but I make every film with my soul and therefore I love each one in its own way. You know, having made about 20 films, it is very difficult to single out one favorite, but “Sniper”, “Dunya”, “Our Man in San Remo” are especially warm.
There is confidence that a little later Alexander Vasilyevich will include his new film “Waiting List” in this list. It has something in common with his painting “Rhymes with Love,” which also dealt with dramatic situations in the fight against illness. About how important it is to have a common aspiration, to unite the efforts of the doctor and the patient to defeat the disease. In “The Waiting List,” the main emphasis is placed on the dedicated work of doctors, on the incredible physical and moral trials that they have to overcome every day. The main theme of the film is the not always noticeable, almost everyday feat of doctors, their sometimes unequal battle with death, their faith in their own strength and hope for the best, which never dies.
The medical theme is one of the favorites not only in domestic but also in world cinema. Many films are made about doctors in a variety of genres. And about Efremov, one famous critic once said: “No matter what Alexander Efremov shoots about, it will be a film about love.” “Waiting List” was no exception. And Efremov talks about love in such a way that the viewer will believe, accept this story, and be imbued with sympathy for the characters. Alexander Efremov knows how to evoke the kindest feelings, the purest emotions in the audience’s hearts. Literally every film of his has a moment of “catharsis”. In today’s cinema, such a phenomenon is extremely rare…
We will wait for the premiere, which is timed to coincide with Doctor’s Day – this year it is June 18. People in white coats will receive a worthy gift for their professional holiday, and ordinary viewers will receive another good film, in the credits of which the name of film director Alexander Efremov will appear.
…At the beginning of May, Alexander Vasilyevich Efremov has a birthday. The date is not round, but this does not negate the reason to wish him good health, happiness, and further creative success. He’s in great creative shape. We will all soon have another opportunity to verify this.