Famous Russian film director Alexander Sokurov was presented with the Order of the Rising Sun by the General Japanese Consul in St. Petersburg, Ichiro Kavabata.

      "I feel like I am in a fairy-tale. It is the greatest thing that ever happened to me", said Sokurov, "I received the news about my rewarding a month ago and then I was just rendered speechless. You can't imagine what it means to receive the main state order of the country I have devoted all my strength to."

      The film director also said he gained Japan's support in the hardest period of his life. Japan has become the second homeland for him.

      "I think even the "Sokurov" surname brings to mind something about Japan", said Sokurov jokingly. It is interesting that only one film from the director's big Japanese circle is known in Russia - "Solntse" (The Sun, 2004), dedicated to the emperor Hirohito. Besides it, Sokurov filmed such documentary films about Japan as Oriental Elegy (1996), A Humble Life (1997), dolce… (1999).

      In Russia Alexander Sokurov is most well-known for such his films as Moloch (1999) about Adolf Hitler, Taurus (2000) about the last days of Vladimir Lenin ’s life, Days of Eclipse (Dni Zatmeniya, 1988), Mother and Son (1997), Father and Son (2003). All these works repeatedly won different Russian and international film awards.

      Sokurov is also known as a great documentary film director. His best works are: Evening Sacrifice (1984–1987), Moscow Elegy (1986–1988), Soviet Elegy (1990), Hubert Robert. A Fortunate Life (1996), The Dialogues with Solzhenitsyn (1998), Confession (1998), Russian Ark (2002) and others.

      In 2011 Alexander Sokurov shot the film Faust, a retelling of Goethe's tragedy, which won the Golden Lion, the highest award of the Venice Festival.

      The Order of the Rising Sun is one of the highest state awards in Japan. It is awarded to those people who have made distinguished achievements in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, advancements in their field, development in social/occupational welfare or preservation of the environment.

Sources: Rosbalt Wikipedia Image: yaom.ru

      Related News: Faust by Alexander Sokurov Takes the Golden Lion in Venice (11.09.2011)