The former Minister of Culture proposed to import foreign films to Russia through parallel imports

Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation (former Minister of Culture) Mikhail Shvydkoi proposed a scheme to save Russian cinemas.

In his opinion, it is worth considering the possibility of parallel import of foreign films or compulsory licensing of content. He stressed that these mechanisms are not piracy, as “movies are shown – money is deducted. It’s like with our debt: there is money, but they don’t want to take it.”

Speaking seriously, if we want to preserve networks, and they must be preserved, because otherwise Russian cinema will not be justified, it will not pay off, we need to think, I don’t know, about parallel distribution, about compulsory licensing, whatever you want to call it, but this is one from the options.

— said Shvydkoy

The special representative also noted that in order to fill cinemas in Russia, it is necessary to shoot 200-250 films a year, and now about 160 are being filmed. Plus, it is necessary to invest in the production of Russian films. [Интерфакс]