MOSCOW, July 1 The film “The Righteous” by Sergei Ursulyak was recognized as the best director’s work at the Nika Awards, the hosts of the ceremony announced.
“In this company, being the best director is absurd and absolutely futile,” Ursulyak joked about his competitors while receiving the prize. 
Other nominees were Alexander Veledinsky with the historical drama about the October coup «1993», Boris Khlebnikov with the film «Bullfinch», and Andrei Smirnov with the film «For You and Me».
Previously, for “The Righteous,” Ursulyak received the Golden Eagle award as best director, and Aleksandr Yatsenko, who played the main role, was recognized as best actor. The film also stars Sergei Makovetsky, Fyodor Dobronravov, Konstantin Khabensky, Evgeny Tkachuk, Dov Glikman, Dietmar Koenig.
The plot is based on the real feat of Nikolai Kiselev, who in the summer of 1942 saved more than 200 Soviet Jews, leading them from the fascist occupation behind the front line.
National Cinematography Award «Nika» was established in 1987 by the secretariat of the Union of Cinematographers of the USSR. The winners are determined by secret ballot of members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and receive a prize-figurine of the winged ancient Greek goddess Nike.