Russian cinema wants to keep the audience

[Global Times Comprehensive Report] The Hollywood Factory of the United States has rejected cooperation with Russia and led to a significant decline in Russian theater's box office revenue. Compared with the same period last year, the box office revenue of Russian theater in the first half of this year decreased by 80%. At the same time, the local domestic film in Russia has surpassed American films for the first time in recent years. In this context, Russian theater is trying to retain the audience, including importing foreign movies and cartoons.

Data map source Visual China

Russia's "News" said on July 31 that since the outbreak of Russia and Ukraine's conflict, five Hollywood film factories have successively withdrawn from the Russian film market and canceled related release plans. This decision seriously affects the Russian film market. Data from the Russian Foundation show that about 75%of the films released in Russia in the same period in 2021 are foreign movies, and the latter brings 40.7 billion rubles (4.47 billion yuan) box office revenue to Russian theaters. Russian films account for only 27.2%of the total box office income.

Due to the continued decline in the seating rate of theater, Russia was forced to close some theaters. According to statistics, in the first half of this year, Russian theater audiences decreased by 39%compared with the same period last year. By the end of this year, Russian theater revenue is expected to reduce 11 billion rubles. Russian experts pointed out that Russian films failed to successfully replace Hollywood films. In order to support the local film industry, the Russian government allocated 14.5 billion ruble funds this year. Sources of the Ministry of Culture of Russia said that the Russian government is now looking for various ways to import foreign films and cartoons, and Russian film production companies are also looking for new partners abroad.

Marstosova, executive director of the Russian Animation Film Association, believes that in the current situation, Russian films and animation have the opportunity to occupy the local market. Elena, an associate professor of the University of Moscow, said that Russian theater is now using various methods to retain the audience, including the release of Soviet films, India and Korean movies. Not worse than the West. " (Liu Yupeng)

- END -