The head of Yakutia, Aisen Nikolaev, publicly defended the films Aita and Aday amid statements from Roskomnadzor and the Ministry of Culture. This account comes from a direct line with the region’s leader reported by RIA News.
Nikolaev said he had watched both films and that Yakut filmmakers Stepan Burnashev and Dmitry Shadrin do not advocate nationalism.
“I know both Dmitry Shadrin and Stepan Burnashev very well. I know they are patriots; in principle, they do not possess the ability to create films that promote traditional nonconformity or nationalist views,” he stated.
Nikolaev spoke with the two directors via phone, assuring them there was no need to worry.
“They will produce other new films that are equally compelling and engaging for audiences. The path is clear: stay focused, anticipate where mistakes might occur, and take care to avoid them while continuing to push forward. The native republic will always stand by them; the region will not leave its own, and support will be provided,” the regional president affirmed.
Earlier, a State Duma deputy from Yakutia, Fedot Tumusov, also voiced support for Burnashev’s Aita, which Roskomnadzor had labeled as containing subversive content.
Recently, Roskomnadzor called for the removal of Yakutia’s most successful film Aita from video services, arguing that it depicted inequality among people of different nationalities. Additionally, the film Aday faced distribution hurdles due to concerns about a hero wearing a wig.
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