Russian directors and cinematographers have nominated Nikita Mikhalkov’s Citadel for Oscar, RIA Novosti reported.

Key competitors were Andrey Zvyangintsev's Elena and Aleksandr Sokurov's Faust, which was awarded Golden Lion in Venice. However, Oscar Committee members (including Nikita Mikhalkov himself) found Citadel ‘to be worthier’.

Citadel, with $42 mln shooting budget, has got ambiguous feedback from critics and viewers and was a complete failure in cinemas.