Overview
- Nikita Mikhalkov told TASS the idea to use episodes of his program in the school class series “Conversations About Important Things” has not been agreed, noting there has been no real movement.
- He said he is ready to participate but objects to selective use that conflicts with his ideological stance, adding authorities should either give him carte blanche or decline.
- A filmed comment published by state media shows President Vladimir Putin calling “Besogon TV” a truthful one-man theater valued by millions that lays bare issues and lets viewers draw conclusions.
- Mikhalkov recounted that teenagers often recognize him as a blogger or the host of “Besogon,” with fewer knowing him first as a film director.
- Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, and SVR Director Sergey Naryshkin sent birthday messages praising his contributions to cinema; Mikhalkov is an Oscar winner and a 2020 Hero of Labour of Russia.