The film known as Brother 3, created by Valery Pereverzev, faced a distribution hurdle when no official rental certificate was issued for the work. As a result, the premiere could not proceed as planned. The update came via social media from Vladislav Pasternak, the head of HHG, a film distribution company with connections to broader media networks. In Russia, the wider corporate environment around media concerns can be tightly controlled, and official permissions are a prerequisite for public screenings. This led to a swift pause on the premiere and a commitment to address ticketing matters once the certificate status is clarified.
A statement clarified that there would be no rental agreement in place for Pereverzev’s project, and the screening scheduled for November 18 would not take place. Ticket holders were assured that refunds would be issued in due course, reflecting standard practice when events are postponed or canceled due to licensing or regulatory issues. The broadcaster and distributor involved emphasized transparency in communicating the situation to the public and to prospective attendees.
During a discussion with HHG’s leadership, it was mentioned that a prior review by the Ministry of Justice identified profanity within the film. In response, the writing team reportedly revised the script to remove such content. This sequence underscores how regulatory concerns can influence content approval and distribution planning, even when subsequent revisions are intended to align with legal and cultural standards.
The spokesperson or official involved characterized the present accusations as subjective, arguing they do not reflect legal violations. The tone suggested a belief that the concerns being raised were not grounded in enforceable statutory criteria, but rather in perceptions or interpretations about the film’s themes and presentation.
Prior to the cancellation, there had been strong interest in the project from audiences in multiple cities. For example, hundreds of tickets had already been sold in Moscow, signaling a local demand for the film. Fans in Tambov, where some production work was conducted, had demonstrated comparable enthusiasm, indicating broader regional engagement with the project. The event organizers acknowledged the discrepancy between anticipated attendance and the eventual restriction on the premiere and stressed their commitment to keep supporters informed about future opportunities to view the film when permitted.
The precise rationale behind the cancellation remained unclear at the time, with different factors likely contributing. Licensing status, regulatory reviews, and the distributor’s internal risk assessments can all influence the timing and feasibility of a premiere. The situation illustrates the complicated landscape filmmakers sometimes navigate between artistic intent and regulatory compliance, especially for projects that touch on sensitive cultural themes or public policy concerns.
Although Brother 3 has stirred interest, it is not associated with Alexei Balabanov’s noted duology in the public discourse surrounding the project. In commentary from March, a participant identified as Ptah, who contributed to the cast, indicated that the certificate concerns were connected to the broader status of national cinema rather than pointing to a direct disqualification of the film itself. This distinction highlights how licensing frameworks may intersect with national cinema classifications and the overall market perception of a film’s eligibility for distribution and exhibition.
In related developments, a separate incident involved a different project and its participants, underscoring ongoing regulatory vigilance in the film community. Reports indicated that authorities detained a participant from another production, signaling a broader, concurrent environment in which performers and creators must navigate legal and regulatory processes around their work. This context helps explain the heightened sensitivity and the careful handling of permit and screening issues across multiple projects in the industry.