Sochi 99

THE 10th SOCHI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ASK ANY devotee of the Sochi International Film Festival, and you will hear that this innovative and visionary festival on the Black Sea, founded by Mark Rudinstein under the nickname "Kinotavr" with actor Oleg Yankovsky as festival president, far outstrips all other Russian film events when it comes to programming the best national feature films and debut productions made in the course of a year. Lately, under programming directors Sergei Lavrentiev and Andrei Plakhov, the festival has shifted into high gear until, for its 10th anniversary celebration (3-14 June 1999), it expanded its horizon to include an international competition devoted to "Young Directors" and secure the support of the nation-wide Russian TV Channel to cover the event. Indeed, this "Black Sea Riviera" with its subtropical climate, palm trees, first-class hotels, beach restaurants, and bevy of prominent guests needs only an international..