Vedomosti: major Russian cinema chains show the sequel to Avatar without a distribution certificate

The largest Russian cinema chains (Premier Hall, Kinomax, Mirage Cinema) began showing the film Avatar: The Way of Water on January 11. However, according to the newspaper Vedomostiin the register of the Ministry of Culture there is no information on the issuance of a distribution certificate for the film.

The newspaper found that the ministry had not received any requests from film networks to issue a distribution license for James Cameron’s film. The film was produced by Disney-owned 20th Century Studios. On March 11, Disney announced the termination of its activities in the Russian Federation.

Cinema networks told the newspaper that they were showing a sequel to Avatar with the participation of partners. Kinomax stated that Prokino, which rented the halls, organized the screening of the film in the cinemas of the network, and the demonstration of Avatar was a “pre-screening service” before the showing of the short film The Commentator. Representatives of Mirage Cinema told the publication that they were showing the film Avatar: The Way of Water as an advertisement, and the screening was organized by the To Kino! project.

It is noted that a number of cinema networks refused to show the film without a distribution certificate. Among them are Cinema Park, Formula Kino and Karo.

Avatar: The Way of Water premiered on December 6th. Now fees exceed $1.7 billion. The first part of the film was released in 2009.

After the start of the special operation, the film companies Warner Bros., Disney, Sony, Paramount and Universal Pictures suspended the licensing of their projects in Russia. Against this background, rental fees in 2022 fell by 50-70%, and industry losses amounted to approximately 4.5 billion rubles.

January 9, Deputy Head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technology and Communications Anton Gorelkin informedthat MPs are developing a bill on compulsory licensing of Western films. The law will allow cinemas to legally show Western films.

What are the risks of licensing paintings bypassing copyright holders – in the material “Kommersant FM” “Movies are being returned forcibly”.

Erdni Kagaltynov