Paul Goble
Staunton, Mar. 13 -- A group of Duma deputies wants to ban the distribution of foreign films in Russia that Moscow judges contain “offensive stereotypes regarding Russia and the Russian people, including films like Rambo which they say shows the “cruel and inhumane treatment of Russians by their government, the National Accent portal says.
According to the explanatory note accompanying the proposed amendment, this action “aims to protect the honor and dignity of the Russian individual, the multi-ethnic people of the Russian Federation, the RF itself, the USSR, and their respective armed forces and state bodies from the discrediting influence of foreign content” (sozd.duma.gov.ru/bill/1173329-8#bh_histras as cited by nazaccent.ru/content/45241-deputaty-predlozhili-zapretit-filmy-gde-pokazany-stereotipnye-obrazy-russkih/).
In addition, the deputies behind this measure say that this ban will serve as “an incentive” to producers of films abroad to come up with movies that “portray Russia and its people in a positive light,” noting that as of 2026, Moscow no longer gives licenses to such films which “discredit” traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.
What the measure does not do is specify just what these stereotypes are and who or by what process they will be identified, a lack of clarity that will allow Moscow to go after any films it doesn’t like for any reason simply by invoking references to this legislation.
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