Famed Russian animator and director, Yuri Norstein, has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government, reports the NewsRu.com. An official release said the animator received the award for remarkable services to Japan.
Norstein is best known for his films THE HEDGEHOG IN THE FOG and THE TALE OF TALES. Due to production and funding problems, the filmmakers adaptation of Gogols THE OVERCOAT has been in production for years.