Medinsky asked the security forces to stop the pressure of “sectarian arsonists” on cinemas because of the film “Matilda”

Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky asked law enforcement agencies to suppress attempts to put pressure on cinemas in connection with the release of the film “Matilda” by Alexei Uchitel, calling such attempts manifestations of “lawlessness and censorship.” Medinsky wrote about this in a commentary published on the department’s website.

“I don’t know what considerations the respected Mrs. Poklonskaya is guided by in starting and supporting this hubbub. Maybe from the bottom of my heart,” writes Medinsky. “Moreover, I am not ready to unravel the motivations of various “activists” and arsonists who brazenly call themselves “Orthodox.”

The minister writes that, as a conservative, he considers “self-proclaimed ‘activists’” to discredit both “state cultural policy” and the Orthodox Church.

“The position of citizens who “haven’t seen the film but angrily condemn it” is doubly absurd - and even flaunt it. Personally, I saw the film. I will not discuss its content - it is simply incorrect until the audience sees it. But I testify: there is nothing offensive in it either to the memory of Nicholas II or to the history of the Russian monarchy,” Medinsky emphasized.

“By following the lead of the “activists” who deny the law, we are creating a dangerous precedent of indulging in irresponsible hysteria. Dear workers in the film industry, you are professionals, people of action. Your work is assessed by the viewer, and the rabid sectarian arsonists are clients of other specialized institutions,” the minister continues.

The day before, the largest combined cinema chain, Cinema Park and Formula Kino, refused to show Matilda due to threats. State Duma deputy Natalya Poklonskaya and radical Orthodox activists are actively opposing the film “Matilda”.

near the office of Alexei Uchitel’s lawyer, Konstantin Dobrynin were burned On September 11, two cars ; Next to them were leaflets with the inscription “Burn for Matilda.” Shortly before this, in Yekaterinburg, a man drove a UAZ with gas cylinders into a cinema because of complaints about the film, and the director’s St. Petersburg studio was bombarded with Molotov cocktails.