Russian actor Nikita Mikhalkov poses during a photocall in Venice September 4, 2005. Mikhalkov is starring in [Polish director Krzysztof Zanussi's] latest movie 'Persona non grata', which is showing at the Venice film festival. 

Russian actor Nikita Mikhalkov poses during a photocall in Venice September 4, 2005. Mikhalkov is starring in Polish director Krzysztof Zanussi's latest movie 'Persona non grata', which is showing at the Venice film festival. REUTERS/Alessia Pierdomenico AMP/SA 

Russian actor Nikita Mikhalkov poses during a photocall in Venice September 4, 2005. Mikhalkov is starring in Polish director Krzysztof Zanussi's latest movie 'Persona non grata', which is showing at the Venice film festival. REUTERS/Alessia Pierdomenico AMP/SA 

Moscow Mayor Luzhkov and Russian film director Mikhalkov chat before the opening of the 27th Moscow film festival. Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov and Russian film director Nikita Mikhalkov chat before the opening of the 27th Moscow film festival June 17, 2005. Russian stars from the cinema industry gathered on Thursday for the opening of the annual festival held in the Russian capital. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin 

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) welcomes U.S. film director and producer Francis Ford Coppola during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, January 29, 2005. Francis Ford Coppola arrived in Moscow on invitation of Nikita Mikhalkov, Russian Cinematographers' Union President to receive the Golden Eagle prize, awarded to him by Russia's National Academy of Cinematic Arts and Sciences. REUTERS/Sergei Chirikov/Pool CVI/AA 

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with U.S. film director and producer Francis Ford Coppola during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, January 29, 2005. Francis Ford Coppola arrived in Moscow on invitation of Nikita Mikhalkov, Russian Cinematographers' Union President to receive the Golden Eagle prize, awarded to him by Russia's National Academy of Cinematic Arts and Sciences. REUTERS/Sergei Chirikov/Pool CVI/AA 

U.S. film director and producer Francis Ford Coppola hands Russia's President Vladimir Putin a DVD copy of his daughter Sophia Coppola's movie "Lost in translation" during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow. U.S. film director and producer Francis Ford Coppola (L) hands Russia's President Vladimir Putin a DVD copy of his daughter Sophia Coppola's movie "Lost in translation" during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, January 29, 2005. Francis Ford Coppola arrived in Moscow on invitation of Nikita Mikhalkov, Russian Cinematographers' Union President to receive the Golden Eagle prize, awarded to him by Russia's National Academy of Cinematic Arts and Sciences. REUTERS/Sergei Chirikov/Pool 

Russia's President Vladimir Putin listens to famous U.S. film director and producer Francis Ford Coppola in Moscow. Russia's President Vladimir Putin (C) listens to U.S. film director and producer Francis Ford Coppola (L) as his Russian colleague Nikita Mikhalkov (R) loistens during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, January 29, 2005. Francis Ford Coppola arrived in Moscow on invitation of Nikita Mikhalkov, Russian Cinematographers' Union President, to receive the Golden Eagle prize, awarded to him by Russia's National Academy of Cinematic Arts and Sciences. REUTERS/Sergei Chirikov/Pool 

British Director Alan Parker (R) stands with Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov at the Opening ceremony of the 26th Moscow International Film Festival, June 18, 2004. Parker heads the jury of the festival. REUTERS/Viktor Korotayev CVI/JV 

U.S. DIRECTOR TARANTINO STANDS WITH RUSSIAN COLLEAGUE MIKHALKOV AND COMMUNIST PARTY LEADER ZYUGANOV IN MOSCOW. U.S. Director Quentin Tarantino (L) stands with Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov (C) and Communist party leader Gennady Zyuganov at the Opening ceremony of the 26th Moscow International Film Festival, June 18, 2004. Tarantino's Kill Bill Vol.2 is the opening film of the festival. REUTERS/Viktor Korotayev 

Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov, president of the jury for the movie shorts and Cinefondation, smiles during arrivals for the screening of [U.S. director Joel Coen's] film entry 'The Ladykillers' which competes for the Palme d'Or at the 57th Cannes Film Festival, May 18, 2004. 

Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov (C), president of the jury for the movie shorts and Cinefondation,, escorts jury members, French actress Nicole Garcia (L) and Spanish actress Marisa Paredes for the screening of U.S. director Joel Coen's film entry 'The Ladykillers' which is screened in competition for the Palme d'Or at the 57th Cannes Film Festival, May 18, 2004. 

RUSSIAN DIRECTOR MIKHALKOV ARRIVES FOR U.S. DIRECTOR COEN'S FILM 'THE LADYKILLERS' AT THE 57TH CANNES FILM FESTIVAL. Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov, president of the jury for the movie shorts and Cinefondation category, smiles during arrivals for the screening of U.S. director Joel Coen's film entry 'The Ladykillers' which competes for the Palme d'Or at the 57th Cannes Film Festival, May 18, 2004. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler 

RUSSIAN DIRECTOR MIKHALKOV ESCORTS ACTRESSES GARCIA AND PAREDES FOR DIRECTOR COEN'S FILM 'THE LADYKILLERS' AT THE 57TH CANNES FILM FESTIVAL. Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov (C), president of the jury for the movie shorts and Cinefondation category, escorts jury members, French actress Nicole Garcia (L) and Spanish actress Marisa Paredes for the screening of U.S. director Joel Coen's film entry 'The Ladykillers' which is screened in competition for the Palme d'Or at the 57th Cannes Film Festival, May 18, 2004. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler 

RUSSIAN DIRECTOR MIKHALKOV WAVES AT WORLD PREMIERE OF FILM, 'KILL BILL VOL. 2' AT 57TH CANNES FILM FESTIVAL. Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov, President of the short films jury, waves at the world premiere of U.S. director Quentin Tarantino's film, 'Kill Bill Vol. 2', which is screened out of competition at the 57th Cannes Film Festival, May 16, 2004. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard 

Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov, President of the short films jury, waves [at the world premiere of U.S. director Quentin Tarantino's film, 'Kill Bill Vol. 2', which is screened out of competition] at the 57th Cannes Film Festival, May 16, 2004. 

French actress Sophie Marceau (R) reacts as the President of the Moscow
International Film Festival (MIFF) Nikita Mikhalkov jokingly greets her
on her arrival to the opening ceremony of the MIFF XXV in Moscow, June
20, 2003. The festival will judge 19 movies in competition, including
three Russian films, and will present over a hundred movies to the
public. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin

AS/MA 

Russia's film industry has suffered the aches and pains of post-Soviet
society, and while after a barren stretch, Russians are returning to
movie theaters, few domestically produced films ever manage to reach
out to the general public. Among those who remain successful inside and
outside Russia is director Nikita Mikhalkov, though few Russian
directors can claim the weight of the well-connected Mikhalkov - one of
a handful of Russian film makers who is watched widely abroad and is
one of the few Russian filmmakers able to muster $45 million to fund a
picture. Mikhalkov is shown in this October, 1998 file photo.
REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin REUTERS LIFESTYLE-ARTS-RUSSIA-FILM

CVI/WS 

Russian actor and film director Nikita Mikhalkov (R) congratulates Hollywood star Jack Nicholson during the closing ceremony of the 23rd Moscow International Film Festival, June 30, 2001. Nicholson on Saturday was awarded a special prize for superior artistic performance. 

Russian actor and film director Nikita Mikhalkov (R) congratulates Hollywood star Jack Nicholson during the closing ceremony of the 23rd Moscow International Film Festival, June 30, 2001. Nicholson on Saturday was awarded a special prize for superior artistic performance.

CVI/CRB 

Russian actor and film director Nikita Mikhalkov (L) welcomes Australian actress Peta Wilson, who stars in the Warner Bros television show "La Femme Nikita" prior to the ceremony opening the 23rd Moscow International Film Festival (MIFF) June 21, 2001. MIFF has been held since 1959 and became one of the most prestigious in the world. This year it will be opened by France's Jean-Pierre Jeunet director of "Le fabuleux destin d'Amelie Poulain".

CVI 

Festival president, Russian actor and film director Nikita Mikhalkov (R) and Margarethe Von Trotta, head of jury, open the 23rd Moscow International Film Festival (MIFF) at a ceremony June 21, 2001. MIFF has been held since 1959 and became one of the most prestigious in the world. This year it is opened by France's movie "Le fabuleux destin d'Amelie Poulain" directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

CVI 

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic (R) shakes hands with famous Russian film director Nikita Mikhalkov (L) during their meeting in Belgrade February 14. Mikhalkov arrived to Belgrade to receive a film award and present his latest movie.

IM/ME 

Photographers and French motorcycle gendarmes frame Barbara Hendricks (2nd R), US born opera singer and member of the jury at the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, who is interviewed by a journalist on opening night, May 12. The film festival opens with Russian director [Nikita Mikhalkov's movie "The Barber of Siberia"] which is shown out of competition. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at the 52 Cannes Film Festival which runs from May 12 to 23 on the French Riviera.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

Chinese actress Gong Li (L) and French actress Virginie Ledoyen (R) arrive at the festival palace on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with ["The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov]. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

French top-model Laetitia Casta turns and smiles to photographers as she arrives on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with ["The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov], which is shown out of competition. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

French actor Pierre Richard arrives with his wife at the festival palace on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with ["The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov]. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

French actor Pierre Richard arrives with his wife at the festival palace on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with ["The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov]. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

American actress Faye Dunaway gestures on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with ["The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov]. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

Barbara Hendricks, US born opera singer and member of the jury at the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, waves to the crowd on opening night, May 12. The film festival opens with Russian director [Nikita Mikhalkov's film "The Barber of Siberia"] which is shown out of competition. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at the 52 Cannes Film Festival which runs from May 12 to 23 on the French Riviera.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

Jury President,Canadian director David Cronenberg (R) arrives Jury member US actress Holly Hunter at the festival palace on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with ["The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov]. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov (R) arrives with British actress Julia Ormond (2nd L) and members of the cast for the screening of their film "The Barber of Siberia", which is screened out of competition, on opening night at the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at the 52nd Cannes Film Festival which runs from May 12 to 23 on the French Riviera.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

French actress Beatrice Dalle gestures as she arrives at the festival palace on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with ["The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov]. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

People walk up the red-carpeted steps of the festival palace on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with ["The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov]. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

German top model Claudia Schiffer arrives at the festival palace on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with ["The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov]. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

French top-model Laetitia Casta turns and smiles to photographers as she arrives on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with ["The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov]. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

Cannes Film Festival Jury President and Canadian director David Cronenberg (C) grins broadly as he stands with jury members US actor Jeff Goldblum (R) and US actress Holly Hunter (C) on opening night, May 12. The 52nd Cannes Film Festival opens with Russian director [Nikita Mikhalkov's "The Barber of Siberia"] which is screened out of competition. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at the 52 Cannes Film Festival which runs from May 12 to 23 on the French Riviera.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

Jury President,Canadian director David Cronenberg (R) seen with (from L to R): British actor Jeremy Irons, British actress Kristin Scott-Thomas, Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov and American actress Faye Dunaway prior the screening of the film "The Barber of Siberia" which is screened out of the competition for the opening ceremony of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

American actress Faye Dunaway waves as she arrives for the opening night at the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The french Riviera film jamboree opens with Russian director [Nikita Mikhalkov's film "The Barber of Siberia"], which is shown out of competition.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

American actress Faye Dunaway waves to photographers on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with ["The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov]. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

Czech top model Adriana Karembeu poses in a copy of the famous Marilyn Monroe dress as she walks up the red-carpeted steps of the festival palace on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with ["The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov. ] Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov (C) puts his arms around Russian actor Oleg Menshikov (L) who gestures and British actress Julia Ormond (R) during a photo call for their film "The Barber of Siberia", which is screened out of competition and opens the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. Twenty-two films will compete for the Palme d'Or at the film festival which runs from May 12 to 23 on the French Riviera.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov (L) poses with British actress Julia Ormond during the photocall of their film "The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov which will be screened out of the competition for the opening ceremony of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

British actress Julia Ormond waves to photographers as she leaves the photocall of her film "The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov which will be screened out of the competition for the opening ceremony of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.
**DIGITAL IMAGE** 

Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov (L) poses with British actress Julia Ormond during the photocall of their film "The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov which will be screened out of the competition for the opening ceremony of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.

EG/JDP 

American actress Faye Dunaway waves to photographers on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with "The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov. Cannes' sees twenty-two films competing for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.

EG/ 

Chinese actress Gong Li (L) and French actress Virginie Ledoyen (R) arrive at the festival palace on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with "The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.

EG/CLH/ 

Barbara Hendricks, US born opera singer and member of the jury at the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, waves to the crowd on opening night, May 12. The film festival opens with Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov's film "The Barber of Siberia" which is shown out of competition. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at the 52 Cannes Film Festival which runs from May 12 to 23 on the French Riviera.

JES/AA 

American actress Faye Dunaway gestures on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with "The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.

EG/AA 

Jury President, Canadian director David Cronenberg (R) arrives with Jury member US actress Holly Hunter at the festival palace on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with "The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.

EG/AA 

Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov (R) arrives with British actress Julia Ormond (2nd L) and members of the cast for the screening of their film "The Barber of Siberia", which is screened out of competition, on opening night at the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at the 52nd Cannes Film Festival which runs from May 12 to 23 on the French Riviera.

JES/AA 

French actress Beatrice Dalle gestures as she arrives at the festival palace on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with "The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.

EG/CLH/ 

People walk up the red-carpeted steps of the festival palace on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with "The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.

EG/AA 

French nurses demonstrate near the festival palace on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with "The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.

EG/AA 

German top model Claudia Schiffer arrives at the festival palace on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival, May 12. The festival opens with "The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov. Twenty-two films compete for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.

EG/CLH/ 

French top-model Laeticia Casta turns and smiles to photographers as she arrives on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival May 12. The festival opens with "The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov, which is shown out of competition. Cannes' sees twenty-two films competing for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.

EG 

Cannes Film Festival Jury President and Canadian director David Cronenberg (R) grins broadly as he stands with jury members actor Jeff Goldblum (L) and US actress Holly Hunter (C) on the opening night May 12. The 52nd Cannes Film Festival opens with Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov's "The Barber of Siberia" which is screened out of competition. Cannes' sees twenty-two films competing for the Palme d'Or at the 52 Cannes Film Festival which runs from May 12 to 23 on the French Riviera.

JES 

Jury President and Canadian director David Cronenberg (R) seen with (from L-R) British actor Jeremy Irons, British actress Kristin Scott-Thomas, Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov and American actress Faye Dunaway before the screening of the film "The Barber of Siberia" which is screened out of the competition at the opening ceremony of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival May 12. Cannes' sees twenty-two films competing for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.

EG 

American actress Faye Dunaway waves as she arrives for the opening night at the 52nd Cannes Film Festival May 12. The French Riviera film jamboree opens with Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov's film "The Barber of Siberia", which is shown out of competition.

JES/ 

Top Czech model Adriana Karembeu poses in a copy of the famous Marilyn Monroe dress as she walks up the red-carpeted steps of the festival palace on the opening night of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival May 12. The festival opens with "The Barber of Siberia" by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov. Twenty-two films are competing for the Palme d'Or at Europe's premier film festival on the French Riviera which runs from May 12 to 23.

EG/