Konstantin Novikov, Mikhail Zubov
Why Don't Russians Make Films about Incumbent Presidents?
Oliver Stone's new film interests the public on both sides of the Atlantic. Without going into its merits, MK wonders why Russians don't make movies about presidents.
Hollywood mass-produces such movies. Air Force One tells us that a president can transform into a superman in a clash with hijackers; Independence Day, that he can lead humans against a hostile alien invasion; The American President, that he falls in love like an ordinary man, and so on, and so forth.
Presidents have become a constant presence in American movies, while in Russia, on the contrary, movie-making about incumbents is taboo. It is OK when it comes to the late ones, however - take the Brezhnev television series, for which the superb Sergei Shakurov, in the title role, sat in make-up for four to five hours before every shooting.
The Kiss Is off the Record was released in February 2008, starring Andrei Panin and Darya Mikhailova. Every reviewer said that Platov, the protagonist, was based on Vladimir Putin, however convincing the director and producers tried to sound when explaining that is was a mere love story, with no prototypes at all. It was in vain-too many coincidences. Platov, a secret service officer and judo wrestler, meets a stewardess. They get married and have daughters. Platov takes a notable job in St Petersburg as a big boss' deputy. His boss is disgraced while Platov moves to Moscow for another appointment, etc, etc.
We got Panin on his cell phone and asked:
"Andrei, did you have any doubts before consenting to play the President?"
"I never played a President! That's a pack of reporters' lies!"
"How was it really, then?"
"I was asked whether I'd like to act in a melodrama, and that was all. I played simply a man with an eventful life. Haven't you noticed that the word ‘president' never comes up in the film?"
"How did you work at the part of ‘just a man'?"
"I didn't do anything special. I merely came to the site, the director told me what to do, and that was all. I didn't even see the film, for that matter-just some fragments when they were making the soundtrack, so I am not sure I didn't botch it."
"But the film is not widely released. There is a rumour that the Kremlin does not like it."
"That's none of my business. I merely played my part."
The actor was understandably harsh-all movie people are sure that The Kiss was never released on the Kremlin's order, so we can see the story of "just a man" only on DVD.
"I don't think it's worthwhile to make movies about incumbents. An objective historical appraisal takes time. Much can change even within the year that the film is shot," producer Andrei Sigle says.
"So if you get a screenplay about Putin or Medvedev...?"
"...I would turn it down. A film is inevitably subjective. To make a film about the President, you've got to never leave his side and then tell the whole truth. A film might concern an episode in the national life shown from the President's perspective. A film should tell about rulers' responsibility to their nation and not about their little weaknesses-not, for instance, to show them relaxing in a steam bath."
Sergei Selyanov, the producer of Cargo 200, the most sensational Russian film of the past several years, is also sceptical about the sheer idea of a president appearing on the screen:
"Russia hasn't had many presidents yet-two or three, so there is no material to generalise on. Any such film would be overly personified. On the other hand, it would be possible with a tsar. One has sufficient historical information to make a generalised image of a monarch. Art feeds on generalisations, it needs typical things."
"Do you think a film like that would be possible in Russia?"
"Yes, if it is not propaganda-all praise or invective. It that case, such a film would need presidential authorisation. The cinema has a sound legal base, and no one risks ignoring the rules of the game. The first thing you are asked in America is, ‘Do you have copyright and a contract?' They won't have anything to do with you if you haven't."
"Would you take an interest in such a play if you were offered one?"
"I'd like any good play, be it about a dragon, an ET or an incumbent president. Every good thing has the right to exist. But then, I don't think one can make a good play about that particular topic. Besides, it's ugly to profit on big names. If a real good play comes my way, I will address Putin or Medvedev for authorisation. They are clever, and I think talks about a film would be possible. But, honestly, if a film were to be made about me, I would never consent."
Maria Kostyukevich
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Political scientists answer questions
Sergei Markov, Director, Institute of Political Studies:
"First of all, Russia does not have enough democracy, or political tradition. The zones that are outside criticism, as it were, are too large. Secondly, Russia's presidents are popular, and thus making a critical film is almost impossible.
"Society must know what the president does, but people will watch carefully to see whether the film is too critical or, on the contrary, too syrupy. Either extreme would be a minus.
"As for the genre, I think it should be something in between a fictional film and a professional chronicle along the lines of Arthur Hailey's "The Airport" and "Taxi". These two films offer examples of fiction that focuses on the professional side of a system. Can erotic scenes be included in a film about the president? I believe they can. The presidents are flesh-and-blood people and I see nothing wrong there...
"I think election campaigns in the future will begin with the release of huge blockbusters. The political parties of the future will include a TV channel, a film company, a football club and a pool of experts in their structure".
Vyacheslav Nikonov, President of Politika Foundation:
"The age-old Russian political culture does not permit artists to treat a country's leader with irony. Even in the 1990s, when the press was pecking at Boris Yeltsin, art workers were loyal to him.
"One cannot rule out that the film will not be released if the President does not like it. Like any other person, the president has the right to express his opinions and doubts about the film without insisting on any changes. However, because the opinion of the head of state is traditionally heeded in this country, if he does not like it, his disapproval would be enough for distributors to reject the film - just to be on the safe side.
"I think a film about the country's president has the potential to push his rating up or down. Most importantly, it is impossible to predict public reaction to the film. There have been many instances when we have tried our best but ended up being completely wrong."