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Russia blocks release of Hollywood thriller set during Stalin's reign
Published April 16, 2015
Associated Press
MOSCOW – Russia on Wednesday scrapped the release of a new Hollywood movie,
just a day before it was to open, with the culture minister saying it insulted the nation
by describing it as "a sort of Mordor."
"Child 44," directed by Daniel Espinosa, is a mystery thriller featuring a Soviet policeman
investigating a series of grisly child murders in 1953. Its stars include Tom Hardy and
Gary Oldman.
The ministry said it made a joint decision with the film's Russian distributor not to release
it after hearing complaints concerning "distortion of historic facts and wilful interpretation
of events ... as well as images and characters of Soviet citizens."
The ministry and the distributor, Central Partnership, decided that it would be "inadmissible"
to release the movie in Russia in the run-up to celebrations marking the 70th anniversary
of the victory over Nazi Germany, the ministry's statement said.
Film Review: ‘Child 44’
http://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/child-44-review-1201472562/
http://variety.com/2015/film/games/russia-bans-child-44-for-portraying-soviets-as-a-bloody-mass-of-orcs-and-ghouls-1201473673/
He said Russians should not succumb to the West’s negative portrayal of Russian history.
“It is time to finally form our own idea about ourselves as the heirs of a great, unique
Russian civilization,” he wrote. “Without that, they will crush us.”
Medinsky made it clear that the film would not be allowed to be shown at any time.
“Movies like this shouldn’t be released in our country’s cinemas, earning money
from filmgoers, not on the 70th anniversary of the victory or at any time,” he stated.
“Child 44” is a paranoia-filled Cold War era thriller, which follows an investigation
by a Soviet detective into a series of child murders. Variety‘s reviewer comments:
“Part serial-killer thriller, part old-school anti-Soviet propaganda, ‘Child 44′ plays
like a curious relic of an earlier Cold War mindset.”
Published April 16, 2015
Associated Press
MOSCOW – Russia on Wednesday scrapped the release of a new Hollywood movie,
just a day before it was to open, with the culture minister saying it insulted the nation
by describing it as "a sort of Mordor."
"Child 44," directed by Daniel Espinosa, is a mystery thriller featuring a Soviet policeman
investigating a series of grisly child murders in 1953. Its stars include Tom Hardy and
Gary Oldman.
The ministry said it made a joint decision with the film's Russian distributor not to release
it after hearing complaints concerning "distortion of historic facts and wilful interpretation
of events ... as well as images and characters of Soviet citizens."
The ministry and the distributor, Central Partnership, decided that it would be "inadmissible"
to release the movie in Russia in the run-up to celebrations marking the 70th anniversary
of the victory over Nazi Germany, the ministry's statement said.
Film Review: ‘Child 44’
http://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/child-44-review-1201472562/
http://variety.com/2015/film/games/russia-bans-child-44-for-portraying-soviets-as-a-bloody-mass-of-orcs-and-ghouls-1201473673/
He said Russians should not succumb to the West’s negative portrayal of Russian history.
“It is time to finally form our own idea about ourselves as the heirs of a great, unique
Russian civilization,” he wrote. “Without that, they will crush us.”
Medinsky made it clear that the film would not be allowed to be shown at any time.
“Movies like this shouldn’t be released in our country’s cinemas, earning money
from filmgoers, not on the 70th anniversary of the victory or at any time,” he stated.
“Child 44” is a paranoia-filled Cold War era thriller, which follows an investigation
by a Soviet detective into a series of child murders. Variety‘s reviewer comments:
“Part serial-killer thriller, part old-school anti-Soviet propaganda, ‘Child 44′ plays
like a curious relic of an earlier Cold War mindset.”