Actor Leonid Yarmolnik spoke to kp.ru about the state of Russian cinema, noting a notable gap in children’s and family films after director Rolan Bykov stepped away from the scene.
He urged the industry to pull people together and give families a reason to talk and share experiences. Yarmolnik pointed out that, following Bykov’s departure, there has been a shortage of cinema that families can enjoy together. He referenced the classic fairy tales that inspired his generation, mentioning how titles such as Morozko and the Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors helped shape those early experiences. He suggested that current times call for new rules that foster family-centered storytelling and a broader sense of shared cultural memory, rather than relying solely on spectacle. The actor indicated that this is more than nostalgia; it is a potential path to unity in a fragmented media landscape, a sentiment he attributes to the social and cultural climate of the country today, with emphasis on creating work that resonates across generations.
Yarmolnik believes that strong family cinema can bridge gaps between grandmothers and grandchildren, parents and children, offering a common space where people can reconnect. He described cinema as not just entertainment, but a refuge that provides hope and a sense of normalcy during difficult periods. He framed film as a two-hour opportunity for audiences to escape worry, share smiles, and enjoy time together as a family, even if only briefly, and he sees this as a form of cultural resilience for the nation. This perspective aligns with a broader call for content that preserves positive, uplifting experiences while addressing real-world concerns in a thoughtful way. He emphasized the importance of stories that invite conversation and mutual understanding rather than division, and he urged filmmakers to consider how family-oriented narratives can sustain optimism without ignoring contemporary realities. The idea is to offer audiences a space where they can recharge and reconnect, a cinematic habit that renews social bonds rather than reflexively amplifying fear.
In reflecting on the current moment, the artist articulated that the cinema has an essential role in guiding public mood. He contends that viewers are craving hopeful trajectories and characters they can trust, who model empathy, cooperation, and the joy of shared moments. The suggestion is not to evade serious topics, but to balance them with storytelling that fosters resilience, courage, and warmth. According to Yarmolnik, two-hour movie experiences can function as communal rituals that restore a sense of togetherness and keep family dialogue alive in daily life, a kind of cultural anchor that supports social cohesion through entertainment. The broader message is clear: cinema should be an instrument for connection, relief, and collective aspiration, reflecting both the challenges and the enduring human capacity for kindness and courage. [Cited via kp.ru]
Earlier, industry voices such as Alexey Chumakov have discussed related questions, including why certain artists, like Yulia Kovalchuk, have paused or altered their release schedules, underscoring the dynamic nature of the Russian music and film scene amid broader cultural conversations.