Actor and State Duma deputy Dmitry Pevtsov voiced strong criticism of Dmitry Dyachenko’s film Cheburashka, which had become a major commercial hit across Russia and the CIS. In discussion with FAN, Pevtsov described the movie as a sabotage against audiences, specifically targeting children. He questioned the creators and suggested that the film embodies a broader ideological trend that has been quietly influencing viewers for decades. According to Pevtsov, the film contains a transhumanist undertone that has persisted for about thirty years, and he found the execution provocative to the point of discomfort. He also commented on the portrayal of Cheburashka calling Uncle Gena a mother figure, noting it as a controversial joke that sends a message to young viewers about family roles and identity. Pevtsov emphasized that for children this kind of symbol can be interpreted as diminishing the importance of traditional parental figures, which he found troubling and worthy of critical discussion.
Moreover, Pevtsov expressed disappointment that audiences appear drawn to films that, in his view, lean more toward Western sensibilities than domestic storytelling. He argued that the entertainment industry has fallen into a pattern of productions that mix questionable themes with polished visuals, which he believes blurs distinctions between quality cinema and manipulative messaging. The deputy condemned what he sees as a growing tendency to confuse entertainment with social engineering, urging viewers to approach such films with discernment and to seek cinema that reflects local cultural roots and values rather than imported signals masquerading as progress.
In his critique, Pevtsov did not spare the film’s ensemble cast, including Elena Yakovleva, Sergei Garmash, and Fyodor Dobronravov. He suggested that the performers, perhaps unintentionally, contributed to a production that could act like a time bomb for younger audiences by presenting ideas that require thoughtful interpretation rather than straightforward consumption. Pevtsov urged audiences to consider the broader implications of celebrity-driven projects and to look beyond star power to the messages conveyed by films intended for family viewing.
The film Cheburashka was released on January 1 and quickly became a record-setting success, drawing audiences across a wide geographic area. Its box office triumph, accumulating more than 6 billion rubles, placed it at the top of Russia’s distribution history and underscored the blockbuster potential of contemporary cinema. As a reflection of public reception, the movie sparked extensive conversations about taste, cultural values, and the responsibilities of the film industry when addressing a family audience. Critics and viewers alike weighed the balance between entertainment value and the perceived influence of media on children, contributing to an ongoing debate about the direction of national cinema and its role in shaping social norms and identity.