Medinsky commented on the situation with Matilda

Today, September 13, the Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky made a statement about the situation with the film by Alexei Matilda, the rental of which is called to ban State Duma deputy Natalya Poklonskaya and “Orthodox activists”.

“I don’t know what considerations the respected Ms. Poklonskaya is guided by, running and supporting this whip. Maybe from a pure heart. Moreover, it is not ready to solve the motivations of different-caliber "activists"-commissioners who are brazenly calling themselves "Orthodox", ”the Medinsky statement published on the website of the Ministry of Culture said.

“Similar self -proclaimed“ activists ”discredit both state cultural policy and the church,” the head of the Ministry of Culture believes. - Orthodoxy - it is about love, and not about hatred. How then differ from fanatics of other faiths or sects in their worst manifestation? ”

Noting that he did not watch the film himself, the minister declares: “There is nothing offensive in him either for the memory of Nicholas II, or for the history of the Russian monarchy.” Medinsky also recalls that the Ministry of Culture issued Matilda a rental certificate “strictly according to the legal procedure”, without finding any grounds for refusal.

“A federal rental certificate is the only and exhaustive document that allows rental throughout the Russian Federation. The film is awarded the category "16+". This is the only restriction provided by law on the terms of the film distribution. Any intentions of the “initiators” on the ground to prohibit the display ”, any attempts to pressure on private or municipal cinemas are pure lawlessness and censorship, which is directly prohibited by the Constitution of the Russian Federation,” the minister emphasizes.

“Walking about the law of“ activists, ”we create a dangerous precedent for indulgencing an irresponsible click,” he said.

The Minister of Culture appeals to the leadership of law enforcement agencies with a request to “ensure compliance with the rule of law, strictly suppress the pressure on the state and the film business by the unbelievable“ activists ”with their socially dangerous methods for imposing their beliefs”, as well as “give a fundamental and fair assessment of their actions”.