Olga Lyubimova, head of Russia’s Ministry of Culture, announced that Yakut director Stepan Burnashev’s film Aita lost its distribution certificate after audience feedback raised concerns.
The minister noted that the film provoked a wide range of responses and that many viewers were deeply sensitive to discussions about interethnic hostility in contemporary society. Speaking during a government hour in the State Duma in response to a deputy’s inquiry, she explained that the decision followed a wave of criticism from viewers and social media users.
When Aita first appeared on an online platform it drew strong negative reactions online as well. The minister added that the director and Burnashev agreed to pursue a more subtle treatment of such delicate topics in future works.
The story centers on Ayaala Aita, a hunting inspector, and the turmoil caused when her daughter attempts suicide after a classmate’s party. A note found in her daughter’s pocket reads a hostile line directed at a boy named Afonya, a Russian police officer who is involved in the family’s life. At the hospital, Aita dies and it is revealed that she was pregnant. In the aftermath, the father decides to mobilize the village to seek vengeance.
The disappearance of Aita
Aita became the highest grossing film in Ruby history, earning 26.1 million rubles against a 4 million ruble budget. Surprisingly, six months after its premiere Roskomnadzor requested its removal from Russian online cinemas, finding content that contradicted the unity of Russia’s peoples. In October the Ministry of Culture canceled the film’s lease.
During a meeting with Vedomosti, a Roskomnadzor official explained that the film depicts inequality among people based on nationality, with positive portrayals of some characters from one nation contrasted with negative traits from another. The official stressed that such framing was the reason for the prohibition. Burnashev countered with a different message, arguing that the film warns against dividing people into us and strangers and shows the danger of that split. He said the point of the film is to demonstrate how dialogue and truth can be reached even in difficult situations, rather than blaming someone simply for their cultural background.
The president of Yakutia, Aisen Nikolaev, defended Aita in autumn 2023, stating that Burnashev does not advocate nationalism. He urged focus on avoiding mistakes and moving forward, affirming solidarity with the film and its creator as an act of regional pride. Burnashev later expressed hope that the ban would be reconsidered and that the film would be restored, adding that he intends to keep working in Russia.
regional cinema
Lyubimova has previously remarked that interest in life beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg is growing, with new regions entering the screen and a push to tell stories centered outside the usual urban settings. She stressed the importance of projects featuring diverse locales and communities rather than stories limited to a narrow slice of urban life.
Ethnic cinema, and Yakut film in particular, has drawn special attention from audiences. The minister affirmed government support for films grounded in real events from their regions, noting that Yakut cinema surpassed expectations by earning substantial box office revenue in the first nine months of 2023.
The Child’s Promise
On November 9 the eight episode series The Boy’s Word arrived on streaming platforms. The project, linked with Blood on the Asphalt starring Ivan Yankovsky and directed by Zhora Kryzhovnikov, follows a tale set in Kazan during the late 1980s. Local media reported that schoolchildren were inspired by the series script and created Telegram channels featuring maps and markers related to the story. Some participants were called in for police questioning as a result.
The regional Children’s Rights Commissioner raised concerns about the program, requesting Roskomnadzor review to ensure alignment with traditional moral values. He described the series as romanticizing gangsterism and suggested it could mislead viewers about the criminal world. He warned that children may imitate the characters and that these trends are publicized across the internet.
Safer Internet educators emphasized the importance of careful viewing, especially for younger audiences. While some observers consider the program educational, others argue that it risks normalizing risky behavior among youth. Community leaders reflected on the responsibility of parents and educators in guiding how young people engage with media.
Officials noted that a significant number of young people involved in the discussion show ambition and energy and desire to grow, though some worry about the influence of on-screen role models. In remarks highlighting the broader landscape, a leading public figure urged vigilance while acknowledging the potential for constructive dialogue around difficult themes.