No Room For Barbie And Oppenheimer In Russia, Says Kremlin: 'Do Not Meet The Aims And Objectives Set Out By The Head Of State'

The Kremlin dismisses Western blockbuster films as contrary to Russian values, according to a statement from Moscow’s Ministry of Culture. This comes amid calls for the government to allow unlicensed screenings despite a Hollywood embargo.

Russia’s Deputy Culture Minister, Andrei Malyshev, rejected the call for theaters to show popular new releases like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” Politico reported.

Vice-Speaker of Russia’s parliament, Vladislav Davankov, had proposed a pilot scheme for showing these films, even if studios have refused to license them in Russia.

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However, Malyshev disagreed with the choice of films, stating: “We believe that the films you have proposed for viewing by the citizens of our country — Barbie and Oppenheimer — do not meet the aims and objectives set out by the head of state, to preserve and strengthen traditional Russian spiritual and moral values”.

Malyshev suggested that Russians are better served by domestic productions, such as the animated children’s film “Cheburashka” and “The Challenge”, a state-backed film shot on the International Space Station.

With Western studios opting not to export their films to Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, Russian cinemas are facing a potentially challenging period due to a dearth of customers.

Photo Courtesy: savrin On Shutterstock.com

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