"The Ministry of Culture will support the production of at least 140 national films"
The Ministry of Culture will expand support for the production of national films aimed at strengthening spiritual and moral values. In the coming year, the department will finance the creation of at least 140 such films, said "Izvestia" head of the department Olga Lyubimova. According to her, our film distribution market has managed not only to accelerate adaptation to the sanctions, but also to demonstrate significant success: by mid-December, its volume exceeded 43 billion rubles, and 33 billion of them provided domestic films. How the strategy of state cultural policy until 2030 will be implemented, how the "Holy Trinity" of Andrei Rublev is protected and when the first Eurasian Film Award will be held - in an exclusive interview with Olga Lyubimova "Izvestia".
"Near the icon of Rublev's "Holy Trinity" a round-the-clock guard has been installed"
- The government has approved a new strategy of state cultural policy until 2030. In particular, within its framework it is planned to form a state order for the creation of works of literature and art. Will these be new programs or expansion of existing ones?
- First of all, let me explain that we are talking about works of literature, art, information materials, printed products, services of cultural institutions, national films. In order to change the goal-setting of the state assignment and transition to qualitative indicators , the Ministry of Culture of Russia and the interested federal bodies are amending the regulations of the departments and the rules for granting subsidies, which clarify their content in terms of the conditions of compliance with traditional Russian spiritual and moral values, including in the formation of the state order and in the implementation of cultural activities.
In essence, this means that, in addition to clarifying the powers and functions of the existing expert councils in various areas of cultural activity and service provision, new ones are to be formed, supplemented by representatives of creative unions and organizations that take an active part in the implementation of state cultural policy.
The Ministry of Culture will expand its support for the production of national films aimed at strengthening spiritual and moral values, created by debutantes - graduates of specialized universities who have studied to become directors, young directors under the age of 35, as well as films for children and young people, including animation.
In general, this is a great deal of work by all interested organizations and departments, and, of course, as the strategy is implemented, the list of state priorities in the cultural sphere may expand, and additional programs will appear.
- More than a year ago the icon "Trinity" began a new life. What condition is the icon in now? Has it been affected by displacement? Are there plans for its comprehensive restoration or only to maintain its vitality?
- The stay of Andrei Rublev's icon "Holy Trinity" in the Trinity Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra is organized in compliance with the requirements for security and safety provided by the agreement between the Orthodox religious organization and the Tretyakov Gallery. Near the icon there is a round-the-clock physical guard, technical surveillance and protection measures are applied, biocontrol and mycological monitoring of the cathedral space is carried out.
Icon "Holy Trinity" by St. Andrei Rublev
On December 13, a restoration commission visited the Sergiev Lavra to examine the icon and assess its condition. All the parameters required for storage are met. Visual inspection showed that the "Holy Trinity" feels good. All the necessary examinations have been carried out, detailed photo fixation has been made.
All this data will be processed and an official report will be made. Inspections will continue quarterly next year, as stipulated in the contract, taking into account the schedule of services in the cathedral.
"The volume of the Russian film distribution market has exceeded 43 billion rubles"
- The Ministry of Culture forecasts that total movie theater box office receipts this year may reach 42 billion rubles, which is still less than the 2019 figure of 55.5 billion rubles. What measures are you currently planning to support the film exhibition industry?
- Let me remind you that additional instruments of state support for the cinema industry made it possible to reach pre-sanctions market figures as early as 2023. Last year's box office receipts were at the level of 2021: RUB 40.7 billion in 2021 and RUB 39 billion in 2023.
By mid-December 2024, the Russian film distribution market exceeded RUB 43 billion, of which RUB 33 billion was generated by domestic films. Compared to the same period in 2023 , box office receipts increased by 16%, and Russian film box office receipts increased by 24%.
Our film distribution market has not only managed to adapt to the conditions of sanctions, but has also been able to demonstrate significant success, thanks in large part to Russian films. At the end of this year, the aggregate volume of the film distribution market will total 45 billion roubles.
Speaking of support measures, the Russian Ministry of Culture annually conducts a competitive selection of applications from film organizations seeking subsidies from the federal budget for the production of national films. This year, 151 projects out of 1147 applications were supported. These are multi-genre films aimed at strengthening spiritual and moral values, devoted to military-patriotic issues and historical memory, as well as popular science and industrial films.
In 2025, the Ministry of Culture will provide financial support for the production of at least 140 national films. The approved list of priority topics for state financial support for film production in 2025 includes themes related to the preservation and strengthening of traditional Russian spiritual and moral values: the culture and traditions of our country, history and countering attempts to falsify it, scientific discoveries and achievements in technology and industry, and popularization of the institution of the family. Support will also be given to films devoted to Russian theater, the role of the teacher and mentor, the image of Russia's future, the traditions of indigenous peoples, the development of the Far East, the Arctic and other regions, volunteerism and international humanitarian cooperation. Of course, a special theme in the list is the heroism and selflessness of the participants of the NWO and the Great Patriotic War. Works of Russian classical literature will also be screened.
- Recently, the Moscow Gubernsky Theater became a federal theater. What does the change of status give institutions?
- Federalization of a cultural institution is an important step for its development, it opens up opportunities to implement large-scale projects to preserve and protect the artistic heritage.
In addition, the change of status also means an increase in the professional skills of both artists and administrative staff. For the theater it means enrichment of its artistic life, renewal of its repertoire and, in general, broadening the horizons for its activities.
A scene from "Captain's Daughter" directed by Sergei Bezrukov at the Moscow Gubernaya Theater.
We are very happy to join the Moscow Gubernsky Theater to the big federal family. In the current theatrical season the theater has four premieres at once. One of the most striking can be called "Captain's Daughter" directed by the theater's artistic director Sergei Bezrukov. The play has already been released and is timed to the 225th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Pushkin. The theater will also continue to host the annual Grand Children's Festival.
- What is the current status of the Eurasian Film Awards project? What role does the Ministry of Culture play in it?
- This is a very important project for us. The Eurasian Film Academy and the Film Award are intended to become a platform for strengthening cultural ties and expanding international cooperation.
The initiative has already been widely announced in the BRICS countries, the CIS and a number of other friendly states of the so-called Global South. China has documented its participation in the project. Iran, Kazakhstan and South Africa noted the importance of the event and gave preliminary consent. So far, invitations to join the project have also been extended to Cuba, Brazil, Venezuela, Serbia, India, Vietnam, Senegal, Ethiopia, Turkey and Syria.
The presentation of the Film Academy will take place next spring in Moscow. There will also be a launch of applications for the first Open Eurasian Film Awards, scheduled for October 2025.
There will be a separate nomination for countries that are not part of the Eurasian space but share our common cultural values.
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