A collection of news items, quotes, and tidbits of interest from around the Russia space.

Three Russian films have been shortlisted for the Oscars this year, in three different categories. Some critics say it is unprecedented and a sign the country's creative industry is on the upturn.

Two reviewers evaluate Catherine the Great through a gender and a storytelling lens.

“The Last Czars” is a wolf in sheep’s clothing: disingenuous, deceitful hagiography masquerading as history.

Pavel Lungin’s controversial film Братство is nothing new, but its political context is — and that’s what makes it so dangerous.

How true-to-life is a favorite Soviet movie, and what does it tell us about the Caucasus?

Other assorted items from around the Russian world.

One of the oldest actors working in Russia, Vladimir Etush, has died at 96.

In honor of the anniversary of the film «Бриллиантовая рука» (“Diamond Arm”), this edition of Учитесь looks at some of the famous крылатые фразы (“winged phrases”), or idiomatic expressions that the film gave to the Russian language.

No matter how many times I watch Diamond Arm («Бриллиантовая рука»), I never cease to wonder at the fact that this film managed to make it to screens all across the Soviet Union in April 1969.

Winter break is known to be a difficult time for Russia: to cope with all that time off, many flock to the cinema. This holiday season's most popular movie? It's about tanks.

In this issue’s Uchites, we look at a popular song by the poet Bulat Okudzhava and the composer Isaac Schwartz. It is about love and separation.