Will The Ukraine War Permanently Damage Russia’s Role as Eastern Europe’s Alpha Distribution Market?
variety.comRussia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 has reverberated across the film industry locally and globally. The effects, insiders tell Variety, will be felt for decades.
In terms of distribution, they may even be permanent.Russia’s designation as a pariah state has seen major film festivals such as Venice and Cannes bar the presence of Russian government agencies and state-backed content at their events, while global companies and studios including Disney and WarnerMedia have paused all activities in the country.Inevitably, these restrictions have also impacted Russian filmmakers who are critical of their country’s president, Vladimir Putin — and the sales agents and distributors handling their movies.
France-based Pulsar Content represents “The Execution,” Lado Kvataniva’s Russian thriller, which world premiered at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas.
Last month, it was pulled from the Glasgow Film Festival.“We’ve already sold it in many countries and distributors we’ve spoken to are behind it; they want to keep supporting talented auteurs,” Pulsar Content co-founder Marie Garrett tells Variety.
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