Dejan Lilic stars in Russian film vying for Golden Lion in Venice

Macedonian actor Dejan Lilic stars in "The Betrayal" by Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov, which is one of the 18 films competing for the main award at the Venice Film Festival, the Golden Lion.

Given the occasion, Minister of Culture Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska met Wednesday with Lilic and Russian Ambassador Oleg Shcherbak.

"I'm really pleased that Dejan Lilic has the leading role in this movie. To be in competition with 18 films is hugely significant for the cooperation between the Russian Federation and Macedonia," said Kanceska-Milevska.

I will invite the director Serebrennikov, she added, to visit Macedonia and to discuss about our film production and the possibility of directing a theater play.

The minister wished Lilic success before leaving for Venice.

Ambassador Shcherbak said it was a great recognition of the experience of Macedonian actors with the film vying in the main competition at the Venice festival.

"The Macedonian art school in Russia enjoys great respect. We want to advance the cooperation with Macedonia in the field of culture. Hopefully, the film will win an award at the festival," the Ambassador said.

Dejan Lilic vowed to promote Macedonia, the Macedonian National Theater and the cooperation with Russia.

Over ten thousand actors auditioned for the main role in "The Betrayal".