The Ministry of Culture banned the distribution of the educational film "Hunger"

Leonid Zolotnikov

This step was to be expected: the decision to revoke the rental certificate from the documentary educational film "Hunger" was signed by Deputy Minister of Culture Sergei Obryvalin, since it "discovered information the dissemination of which is prohibited by the legislation of the Russian Federation." The tape tells about the terrible famine in Soviet Russia in the early 1920s, which claimed the lives of millions of people, and about foreign, including American assistance, which helped save the lives of many millions of our fellow citizens.

The annotation to the film says, in particular: “The first famine since the Time of Troubles, during which cases of cannibalism were recorded. The documentary is about the terrible famine of the 1920s and about international solidarity over ideology and politics.

The story that happened 100 years ago is shown through the fate of specific people. Experts from different countries not only explain the causes of the famine, but also talk about the humanity that blurred the boundaries between states and peoples. The Nansen Mission, the American Relief Administration, English Quakers, and dozens of other organizations were then working in Soviet Russia. The famine of the 1920s became one of the first symbols of the international struggle for Life. Therefore, the film "Hunger" is not only the story of political decisions. First of all, this is the history of humanism, which should not be forgotten.”

One of the authors of the film, TV presenter and writer Alexander Arkhangelsky announced the decision of the Ministry of Culture in his blog:

“The Ministry of Culture has revoked the rental certificate from the film “Hunger”. This does not mean a ban on screening in principle - the law allows demonstrations without a certificate "exclusively for cultural and educational purposes within the framework of the statutory activities of museums, exhibition halls or educational organizations implementing basic and additional educational programs." Plus, paid downloads are allowed in online stores. But this means that on the big screen, for which the film was made, it can no longer be shown in Russia ... "

In principle, such a decision was more than expected, if we recall the adventures of this picture immediately after the completion of work on it a month ago. Then Arkhangelsky wrote in his blog:

“Unfortunately, due to reasons beyond our control, the KARO Film company today canceled the screening of the film Hunger, which was supposed to take place tomorrow, October 15th. They say the projector is broken. There were no other free halls of this network in Moscow either. We apologize. Everyone who bought tickets will receive a refund through the timepad. And we will draw conclusions later, the main thing is that other projectors in the country work ... "

However, after that, the film was shown at the Yeltsin Center in Yekaterinburg, and last week at the Gulag History Museum in Moscow. Moreover, with full houses, so the film had to be broadcast to neighboring halls.

What was the reason for the restriction of cinema, in which a) it is about the events of 1921-1923, b) there is no author's text, only quotes and documents? c) Are all documents published or are they in the open part of the archives? - Arkhangelsky asks a question. And answers:

“The answer is tragicomic. The revocation letter refers to subparagraph D of paragraph 20 of the rules for issuing rental certificates - “information was found, the distribution of which is prohibited by the legislation of the Russian Federation.” What kind of legislation is forbidden to talk about the fact that there was a famine in 1921-23? That more than 5 million people died? That the world (far from all, by the way) stepped over the ideology and showed solidarity with the suffering inhabitants of Russia? And thanks to this, more than 10 million were saved? This is a betrayal of one's own history, a betrayal of family memory.

OK. God is the judge of those who decide. We will show in museums, exhibition halls and universities. We hope that at the end of this year the film (without English titles) will appear on one of the YouTube sites. When that happens, I will let you know…”

Arkhangelsky adds: “In general, the project is historical and educational. But when politics ends, they start looking for it everywhere. Some relevant contexts are being accumulated, but this is an accident. There is no political statement, except for abstract humanism, that people need to be helped. But you can find everything. What can be prohibited here, I have complete bewilderment.

“The answer is tragicomic. The revocation letter refers to subparagraph D of paragraph 20 of the rules for issuing rental certificates - “information was found, the distribution of which is prohibited by the legislation of the Russian Federation.” What kind of legislation is forbidden to talk about the fact that there was a famine in 1921-23? That more than 5 million people died? That the world (far from all, by the way) stepped over the ideology and showed solidarity with the suffering inhabitants of Russia? And thanks to this, more than 10 million were saved? This is a betrayal of one's own history, a betrayal of family memory.