An interview with the online cinema platform Start revealed a move to remove a scene featuring the iconic image of Yuri Gagarin, the Soviet cosmonaut, after copyright concerns surfaced. The report notes that the frame containing the famous mural was prohibited because the image was not cleared for rights, and the platform reportedly faced practical hurdles in securing permission for the astronaut’s likeness. The publisher described the process bluntly, explaining that the content appeared on wheels and there was a permissions layer that could not be navigated quickly enough to satisfy the legal requirements on time. This detail helps readers understand why a moment that might seem small ended up being edited out in a way that altered the scene’s flow for viewers. (citation: Start interview)
Meanwhile, the well-known blogger BadComedian, whose real name is Evgeniy Bazhenov, highlighted on his Telegram channel a cut in a sequence from the series Vampires of the Middle Group. The altered moment involved graffiti on a wall that depicted Yuri Gagarin. Bazhenov pointed out that a portion of the episode was excised, resulting in a missing visual element that once connected the characters to the historical figure in a provocative way. (citation: Bazhenov post)
In his commentary, Bazhenov offered a more candid translation of the show’s original title, noting that the line is tied to the characters’ sense of frustration as events unfold. He framed the censorship decision as one that changes the tone of the exchange between characters and spectators alike, suggesting that the trimmed scene could affect how viewers interpret the interplay between rebellion and consequence. The remark about the characters ultimately being in over their heads underscores the tension baked into the moment and why the editing choice matters to the overall narrative rhythm. (citation: Bazhenov analysis)
Bazhenov described the challenge of identifying the precise moment when the interrupted scene occurs, recounting the difficulty of locating the sequence in which the vampire Svyatoslav Vernidubovich, portrayed by Yuri Stoyanov, confronts the youths as they paint the mural. The dialogue around the mural becomes a focal point, as the characters first address the graffiti as vandalism and then pivot to the emotionally charged line that follows, illustrating how a single cut can reshape character dynamics and audience perception. (citation: Bazhenov clip review)
The blogger also raised a broader question about the relative impact of the cut: which is more disruptive, the explicit line that signals collective embarrassment or a vibrant rainbow symbol that accompanies the scene? The discussion taps into debates about censorship, symbol use, and how audiences read meaning in an edited work. Bazhenov’s commentary invites viewers to consider whether the changes preserve or alter the series’ intended message, and whether the edits reflect external pressures or artistic choices. (citation: Bazhenov discussion)
Previously, regulatory authorities in Russia had indicated that a rainbow motif used in the scene was not intended to reference LGBT themes. This clarification suggests an effort to separate visual symbolism from identity-related interpretations, a distinction that may influence how audiences interpret the edited material and the reasons behind its removal. The interplay between copyright concerns and audience reception remains a central theme as creators navigate rights, representation, and creative expression in a global streaming environment. (citation: Roskomnadzor note)