11/07/2026

Buratino (2025) — “He’s not a toy, he’s alive!”

A beloved Russian fairy tale returns to the big screen in a new interpretation by director Igor Voloshin. This modern adaptation combines elements of family cinema, musical theatre, and magical storytelling.

The Wellington Russian Club invites you to a screening of Alexei Tolstoy’s classic tale “The Golden Key, or the Adventures of Buratino.” The film is designed for family audiences and will be enjoyable for both children and adults.

Saturday, 25 July 2026, 14:30
Newtown Community Centre
Corner of Colombo & Rintoul Streets, Newtown

The film is shown in Russian (without English subtitles).

Admission — $10.
All proceeds support venue rental and help fund the cultural initiatives of the Wellington Russian Club.

After the screening, we invite everyone to join a friendly tea gathering and discussion.
You are welcome to bring your favourite baking, sweets, or a homemade dish to share — a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

This screening is part of the cultural programme of the Wellington Russian Club and is open to both the Russian-speaking community and all New Zealanders interested in Russian culture. It is an opportunity to connect with Russian literature and cinema and simply spend time together.

Contact: wellingtonrussianclub@gmail.com

About the Film

One day, Papa Carlo comes across an ancient magical key capable of granting any wish. The lonely craftsman dreams only of having a son. His wish is almost fulfilled, but even in fairy tales things do not always go as planned: a log comes to life, and from it appears a boy — clever, cheerful and… wooden. Papa Carlo loves his son dearly, but Buratino gradually realises that he is not like everyone else and sets off on a long journey to prove that he is a good and real son.
The story follows Buratino and his friends through their adventures.

The film premiered on 1 January 2026. It is intended for family viewing and recommended for children aged 6 and above.