The Grand Closing of the "Pacific Meridian"

Well, here came the last, or, as the presenters of the closing ceremony said, "extreme" day of International Film Festival of Asian Pacific countries "Pacific Meridian". On the one hand the long-awaited, because today were announced the winners of this year and on the other hand - sad, as the audience had to say goodbye for a year to the film festival. Along with the spectators the weather was sad: the autumn came to Vladivostok.

Before the closing ceremony was held a traditional Red Carpet, which gathered a lot of fans, despite the cold wind. The audience had the opportunity to contemplate Sergey Stepanchenko, Alexander Pyatkov, Alexander, and Harry Gordon, Lisa Arzamasova, Rock Brynner, Liza Minnelli and other well-known and beloved masters of Russian cinema, and filmmakers from other countries, including the most awaited guest of the festival Italian actor and director Michele Placido.

The solemn ceremony was held in a large hall of the "Ocean" cinema. A winner of the special prize of the Governor of the Primorsky Territory "9288 km" became famous Michele Placido. The Audience Choice Award for the Best Russian Film got the film "Brothel Lights" by Alexander Gordon. The regular guest of the festival Rock Brynner handed the prize named after the actor Yul Brynner to Dmitry Vyskubenko for his role in the film "My father". The Best Actor award was presented to the actor from China Wang Baoqiang for his role in the movie "Mr. Tree". The Best Actress became Fanny Mallette for her role in the film "Familiar grounds" (Canada). The best director work, in the opinion of the jury - was the movie "Mr. Tree" (China) by director Han Jie. The director from Thailand Pimpaka Towira won a special jury prize for his film "My Father". The Best Short Film of the festival became "Mokhtar" by Canadian Director Halima Ouardiri . The winner of the special prize for the contribution to a world cinematograph became a legendary Liza Minnelli. Finally, the Grand Prix of "Meridian" the honorary president of the festival, Sergei Darkin, presented to the director of the film "Toomelah" (Australia), Ivan Sen.

The highlight of the evening was the performance of Liza Minnelli, who sang three songs: "Cabaret", "Maybe this time" and "New York, New York". Appreciating the talent of the legendary actress and singer, the audience gave her standing ovation. And Sergey Stepanchenko after the presentation of the prize to Lisa insisted on her autograph right on his shirt.

The ninth Festival of Asian Pacific countries "Pacific Meridian" is over, but ahead there is tenth, anniversary festival, which will undoubtedly be the most spectacular and unforgettable holiday in the history of the city. Some changes expect International Film Festival: according to the words of the governor the next year's venue will probably be not an "Ocean" cinema, as well as the timing of the film festival is questioned, because it coincides with the APEC summit.