Authors

Discussion

Although Russian films have had limited distribution in the Czech Republic, they can be seen at multiple film festivals throughout the country. One of them, called The Seminar of Russian Films, which has existed since 1994, is specifically focused on Russian/Soviet films. The festival has focused on thematic programming to provide a broader historical, political, and social context for selected titles. This educational event includes art films of various genres and periods, complemented by exhibitions and lectures.

Additionally, the New Russian Film Festival was launched in Prague in 2018, initially promoted as the Czech Republic's largest festival of Russian films. Organized by the Russian Embassy in the Czech Republic, with support from the Russian Ministry of Culture and the Union of Cinematographers of Russia, the festival had the Russian state corporation "Rosatom" as its main partner. It received patronage from Czech President Miloš Zeman, known for his pro-Russian stance. The festival only lasted two years, was interrupted by the pandemic in 2020 and subsequently was not resumed.

In contrast to the Seminar of Russian Films, the New Russian Film Festival primarily emphasized its size (the "largest Russian festival in Europe in terms of the number of films") and aimed to showcase the entire spectrum of recent Russian cinema, with meetings and dealings with actors and directors which were to open the Czech market for Russian films and vice versa. It lacked a wider cultural connection or educational component, looking more like promotion of the Russian cinema. While such a festival is impossible to take place in any European country today, the Seminar of Russian Films has also not yet seen another edition since the war began.

This paper aims to analyze the evolving landscape of Russian films on offer in the Czech Republic in light of the current geopolitical situation. The research will employ interviews with festival organizers, analysis of festival programs, and examination of promotion and public recognition. It will provide insights into the changing landscape of Russian film distribution in the Czech Republic and outline the future of similar festivals in today's situation elsewhere in the world.