Destiny “Lenfilm” once again will be decided on 20 June: to be or not to be. Fateful events accompany the oldest film studios for decades. Replaced its leaders. Their names no one remembers. Everything is shrouded in mystery, did not really know. Again, there were rumors that the historic building in the centre of Petersburg will fall victim to default and in its place build a luxury residential complex. “Thumbnail” is reminiscent of black hole, a giant furnace, in which no matter how much you drop it, burns down everything.
the Studio was established April 30, 1918. Her fourth pavilion once housed the theater “Aquarium”, where on may 4, 1896, was the first public film session. Levelmask most famous painting is “Chapaev”. Here was filmed “Cinderella,” “hamlet,” “wild dog Dingo”, “Check on roads”, “Chief of Chukotka”, “the Lonely voice of man”, “Hard to be God”. Talk about the fact that “Lenfilm” is in poor condition and whether it is time to close, being 25 years old. The best Directors fought for him to heart attacks. Every time I announce the arrival of an energetic team that will start the revival.
I have the feeling that only Alexis Herman, Jr., my soul aches for what is happening on “Lenfilm”. It is included in its Board of Directors and constantly talking about the fact that the infrastructure without people is worth nothing, that you can buy the latest equipment, to build pavilions, but without talented people do not succeed. His Grand father constantly spoke in defense of “Lenfilm”, did not want its transition into private hands. I remember his fierce speech when he shouted: “I’m old and will not live, and you’ll see that the Hermitage will be private”. Recently, Herman Jr., to break the wall of silence that has formed under the guise of quarantine, has posted a video: he is on the territory of the Studio and calls for the implementation of the mandates of the President, otherwise the default. Still not resolved the question of allocation of subsidies, although the President gave such an order. “Thumbnail” for a long time seeking the right for its “Golden collection”, but things are there. Wherever you look, nothing but problems. Earlier the Minister of culture Olga Lyubimova said that it is necessary to do everything that the Studio was not bankrupt.
Seven years ago, Alexander Sokurov and produced by Andrey Sigle has proposed a plan for the development of “Lenfilm”, but preference is then given to the team of Eduard Pichugin, recently dismissed (St. Petersburg Union of filmmakers wrote a letter to President Putin). We talk about the state of Affairs with producer Andrey Sigle.
What’s happening today on the “thumbnail”?
— the Relevance of the Studio have long since ended. No it is in principle not necessary. What to do with it? Well, a little tint. In recent years, the Studio nothing has not increased in terms of production. Only the cinema appeared and some semblance of the Museum. Part of purchased equipment is obsolete. So in the boxes worth it, as far as I know. Pavilions as they were in a devastated condition, remain. The territory of “Lenfilm” in a Pine Clearing in the same limbo. Is it necessary to revive? Technology has moved forward. Today, the Studio in this form are not wanted. Many studios make the picture with no spaces and pavilions, take off for this workshop and build there for the scenery. It is much cheaper.
Maybe I’m old-fashioned talk, but I’m sorry, “thumbnail” dies. Still, the historical place where there were many glorious deeds.
— I assume that with proper guidance, perhaps, something can be done. Seven years ago we with Alexander Nikolayevich Sokurov was some plans. It seemed to us that even in the difficult situation it was possible to achieve something. But the Ministry of culture has made a different decision. On “Lenfilm” as always in Russia. Took the money, it is not clear what was done to them, and “Lenfilm” there was no, no and no. Left huge debts, the interest that also has not been paid. I don’t really understand what the Ministry of culture plans. Are there serious plans, or is it all spontaneous, minute-to-minute decisions. It’s hard to judge when you only see the tip of the iceberg and don’t know what all these moves.
he was silent, and beat all the bells.
— He met with the new Director of the Studio. So I think we are unanimous in their assessment of what is happening. I’m not familiar with the current Director Inessa Yurchenko. I know that she is a talented producer. But can this be changed? Inessa got on his neck a huge amount of debt and completely dead Studio. God forbid that she knew what she was going to do. If she has enough energy to revive all this, I’ll be glad.
