09 December 2011, 17:44 Opinions

We are not rednecks

An open letter from director Alexei German Jr. to the Governor of St. Petersburg Georgy Poltavchenko

Alexey German Jr. close 100%

Director Alexey German Jr.

ITAR-TASS Self-respect and human dignity of citizens cannot coexist in the coordinates that are imposed on us.

To the Governor of St. Petersburg
Poltavchenko G. S.

Dear Mr. Governor!

Lately, I, and not only me, but a huge city where people live who, by the way, have self-esteem, have heard and seen a lot of your words and deeds, which subsequently diverged from reality. You talked about fair elections, but the elections were not even close to fair. You talked about how the city is one big family, but if you walk along Nevsky, it turns out that the family is somehow unhealthy.

Just recently, before the elections, you claimed that you would not allow the destruction of the country's oldest studio, Lenfilm, by AFK Sistema, but in fact you have already begun this process. How else can we explain the appointment of Mr. Meskhiev, an employee of the AFK and the architect of this takeover, to a high post. Why then were there all these words about studio support? Probably to appease the city intelligentsia. Deceive her.

Tell me, doesn’t this passionate desire of the authorities to receive the support of the people, just as consistently deceive them, and then be surprised that the feelings fade away, do not seem absurd to you?

In my own way, I am an apolitical person, but for me, as for many of my fellow citizens, there is a line where my self-respect and human dignity cannot coexist in the coordinates that are imposed on me. I'm not a redneck. And we are not rednecks.

What they did with Lenfilm In 2004, the Lenfilm film studio became an open joint-stock company with a 100% state share; According to officials, at present it can neither exist on self-sufficiency nor make a profit. Three ways were proposed to solve this problem. The Ministry of Culture considered the most appropriate public-private partnership (PPP) with the involvement of funds from a third-party company. Then a second option was developed: also a PPP, but with guarantees that the film studio’s real estate would not be repurposed or sold. The third option was proposed by the authorities of St. Petersburg - to transfer the studio to the balance of the city. In 2008, AFK Sistema was involved in solving the problem, and the possibility of merging Lenfilm and the company Lenfilm XXI, affiliated with RWS (Russian World Studios, owned by one of the structures of AFK Sistema), was first announced in the spring 2010. In 2011, specific proposals appeared: the assets of OJSC Lenfilm and OJSC Lenfilm XXI would become one company in which the state would own 25% of the shares. A draft government decree on carrying out this transaction was prepared. In August 2011, directors Alexander Sokurov and Alexey German Sr. turned to Vladimir Putin with a request to prevent the deal, as it would lead to the destruction of the studio. The Ministry of Culture rejects accusations that the purpose of the deal is to get rid of burdensome state property. The option of transferring the studio to the city was discussed back in 2008, but was rejected. Now the authorities of St. Petersburg are proposing to build a cinema park at Lenfilm, but specific proposals may appear only in the spring of 2012. For now, the city supports Lenfilm: it orders paintings from it, provides financial assistance to pay for utilities. The city authorities promise to support Lenfilm no matter the outcome of events. In October 2011, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with director Alexander Sokurov; the conversation was about the future of Lenfilm, but no concrete decisions were made after that. Today, December 9, director Dmitry Meskhiev, a supporter of the creation of the Lenfilm PPP with RWS, was appointed head of the St. Petersburg Culture Committee.

Yesterday my father asked one of your deputies, Mr. Kichedzhi: what is happening with Lenfilm, is everything that is happening normal, and should my father leave the city? The Deputy immediately supported this proposal. Of course, I understand that our city is large and if my father and some other part of the intelligentsia leave it, it will only be more convenient for Mr. Kichedji to work. No questions, just obsequious glances. It would still be more convenient to destroy Lenfilm, drive young people along Nevsky, fight homosexuals, by the way, what, for example, should be done with Tchaikovsky’s music and with the cafe of the same name? Is this propaganda? But here's the question:

if the future of our city is like this, then who will write books, engage in painting, theater, or live and work in other areas, maintaining dignity?

Riot police? Hardly. This means that people (who can) will simply leave on their own, or they will be kicked out by force, as we once went through with Brodsky, and Dovlatov, and many others. So?

Dear Mr. Governor! I have a question for you: Aren’t you ashamed? You are a believer.

And one more thing: do we all need to pack our things already?

Sincerely,

German A. A.,
film director,
winner of the Silver Lion of the Venice Film Festival, many international awards, national film awards “Nika” for 2003, 2005, 2008, etc., etc.