“I’m done”: Kantemir Balagov, the director of the film “Dylda”, who left for the USA, ended his film career 04.06.2023, 14:05

Cantemir released two films – “Tightness” and “Dylda” as well as several short films. His works have won awards at Russian and international film festivals. In 2018, Balagov’s second film was shortlisted for the Oscars for Best Foreign Film. The native of Nalchik was a student of Alexander Sokurov, he is a close friend of the president of the Kinotavr festival Alexander Rodnyanský.

Balagov left Russia last year and made no secret of his disagreement with state policy. The director settled in the USA. And today Cantemir said that conquering Hollywood is not in his plans. “I’m done. Two films are more than enough,” wrote Cantemir on the social network. After that, the filmmaker deleted his accounts.

It is known that the winner of the “Nika” and “Golden Eagle” awards was going to shoot the Hollywood project Butterfly Jam with the participation of Alexander Rodnyansky*, dedicated to a family of emigrants from Kabardino-Balkaria living in New Jersey. Balagov also worked on the pilot version of The Last of Us series for the HBO platform based on the cult game The Last of Us. However, the project could not be completed due to creative differences.

Kantemir’s close friend Alexander Rodnyansky went to Ukraine last year and canceled the Kinotavr festival. The producer of the series “My Fair Nanny” suggested “wait for better times.” Rodnyansky’s former daughter-in-law remained living in Moscow. Yanina Studilina filed for divorce and returned to Russia with her daughter Anna.

The grandson of Alla Pugacheva is also trying to build a new life in America. Nikita Presnyakov has to work hard. Recently, the rock musician put up for sale a residence near Moscow, which he received as a gift from his star grandmother.

* Listed by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation in the register of natural persons-foreign agents.