Russia wants to introduce a paid “entry ticket” for foreign films, the Center for Countering Disinformation reports.
Russia to Introduce “Entrance Ticket” for Foreign Films
The Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation supported the initiative of director Sergei Mikhalkov, a well-known supporter of the Kremlin's policies, to introduce a new barrier for foreign films.
We are talking about the mandatory payment of 5 million rubles (more than $63 thousand) just for reviewing an application for the distribution of a foreign film in Russia.
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In addition, 10% of the income from showing foreign films is planned to be used to support Russian cinema. In fact, we are talking about introducing a “tax on film propaganda” aimed at financing films that are beneficial to the state ideology.
These changes have two key goals: to make it more difficult for foreign content to enter Russian cinemas and to redirect the funds received to the development of Kremlin-controlled film production.
The conditions are becoming so unfavorable that international studios will probably refuse to work with the Russian market.
Thus, the Russian authorities continue their course towards cultural isolation and control over the information field.
— In this way, the Russian authorities are taking another step toward the informational isolation of Russians and the state monopolization of the cultural space. The Russian viewer will be forced to consume a predominantly domestic product — ideologically controlled state propaganda cinema, — the CPI noted.
Formally, this is presented as an incentive for the development of national cinema, but in fact it is yet another instrument of censorship.
