Moscow, October 21, AZERTAC

“I am very grateful to Ilham Aliyev for such a high recognition of my work’, Russian News Agency TASS quoted Oscar-winning Russian film director Nikita Mikhalkov as saying. Mikhalkov said he has a long-standing cultural ties with Azerbaijan. "I filmed one of the key scenes of my first full-length film "At Home Among Strangers" in Azerbaijan. And even then - many years ago, I struck up friendship with my Azerbaijani colleagues.” “I really hope that this creative relationship will continue. In a phone talk with Ilham Aliyev, we discussed the possibility of working together on a film about Griboyedov. I hope that I will be able to justify such a high award of the Azerbaijani state," said Mikhalkov.

The Russian film director has recently been awarded “Dostluq” (Friendship) Order by the President of Azerbaijan.

Farida Abdullayeva

Special Correspondent