No censorship in Russia, but state not obliged to finance opposition projects — minister

MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. A total ban on American movies from Russian theatres would be a wrong decision, Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky said on Tuesday.

"Our film viewers must be given a choice," the minister said at a meeting with lawmakers in reply to a question whether the ministry was considering a partial or total ban on Hollywood films.

Medinsky also said that Russian filmmakers needed state support.

A number of Russian officials and filmmakers, including veteran directors Yury Kara and Stanislav Govorukhin, earlier called for a partial or total ban on US-made movies, which currently account for some 70% of the Russian film market, in response to western sanctions against Russia.

Meanwhile, Russian producers and theatre owners have warned the ban would lead to closures of movie theatres across Russia.