Dobrunov? YES.

The Soyuzmultfilm studio has a new director again (the previous one, Valery Bakaev, was less than a month old). I would like to hope that Andrey Dobrunov came with serious intentions. In any case, his meeting with the studio staff inspires cautious (burned so many times) optimism

One of the main tasks that the director must solve is to complete and master the premises at 21 Koroleva Street.

Andrei Dobrunov said that he did not immediately agree with the appointment. He has a difficult year, the premiere of the big film "DA-studio" "Sergey of Radonezh" is coming. In addition, he and ex-director Nikolai Makovsky are comrades, and he knows firsthand about the problems and troubles of Soyuzmultfilm. Andrey Dobrunov hopes that Makovsky will return to the studio, the new director hopes for his help, they jointly decide in what position.

Director Mikhail Aldashin remains artistic director, and the package of applications for new projects to the Ministry of Culture is preserved.

Dobrunov understands that the Ministry of Culture has set almost impossible tasks for him (in February next year, the new premises should “earn”), therefore he asked the Minister for carte blanche and broad powers in the reorganization process.

In the future, the new premises will be not only a production base, but also a museum.

Andrei Khrzhanovsky, Yuri Norshtein were interested in whether the priority of artistry would be preserved. Vyacheslav Telnov was asked about the fate of small studios that create films with state funding. Will they retain their autonomy or will they be forced to go under the wing of the SMF?

Telnov explained that today we are talking only about Soyuzmultfilm and its future. The new director clarified that the updated SMF should be a state-owned commercial enterprise, only in this case alliances with other studios are possible.

A question was also asked about the Golden Collection, which Gosfilmofond has recently been claiming. Two days ago, a meeting was held with the minister, and it seems that the collection belonging to the "SMF" was decided to be left alone.

Norshtein asked about the possibility of creating courses at SMF, primarily for animators. Andrey Dobrunov became interested in this idea.

Stanislav Sokolov spoke about the studio's antediluvian equipment and the need for additional financial assistance to upgrade it.

Andrey Dobrunov recalled that he was lucky to work with large teams of people. He raised money for the projects of the studios "Solnechny Dom", "Animakkord". His "DA-studio" is equipped with the latest technology. This equipment can be used, in particular, for the creation of SMF projects. Financing has already been allocated to equip the oldest studio, and additional funds will be found.

Telnov clarified: "The Ministry of Culture annually spends 60 million on the material and technical base of the studio. Now the allocated funds are waiting for their assignment."

I asked about the development vector of Soyuzmultfilm. Considering Andrey Dobrunov's interest in monumental national blockbusters like "Prince Vladimir", the forthcoming "Sergey of Radonezh", the promised "Suvorov".

“This will not happen,” the new director assured us, “there will simply be a division of commercial, serial production. There will be production to create debuts, author's films. But, I think, Makovsky and Aldashin will deal with issues of creativity and ideology. As for full-length projects, the premiere of "Sergei Radonezhsky" will take place in December. In the future, there is an idea for a full-length "Suvorov", but this film should be fun. Then, perhaps, there will be "Pushkin" ...

In conclusion, Andrei Dobrunov admitted that he rarely appeared in the community, primarily because of modesty.

After meeting with the studio staff in the cinema hall, the new director talked in detail with the members of the artistic council, trying to identify the pain zones, which are immeasurable.

We parted ways on an optimistic note. However, February 2015 is just around the corner, then we'll see if all these wonderful words and plans turn into a pumpkin ...