The film "Eight Best Dates", starring Ukrainian satirist Vladimir Zelensky, failed at the box office. Spectators in the South of Russia, who traditionally love spring comedies, also voted with their feet against the picture, the distribution of which in Russia was demanded to be banned by many patriotic movements and politicians. And although the authors of the film expected that due to the scandal, the film would be a success and earn at least 130 million rubles in Russia, they were greatly mistaken in this.
"They stop being stars"
A week ago, the comedy film Eight Best Dates was released in Russian cinemas - the last film in a trilogy dedicated to the unsuccessful veterinarian Nikita, who has no luck in love. Four years ago, the first picture "Eight First Dates" was released, in 2014 - "Eight New Dates".
All three films were directed by Marius Weisberg, and played the main role Vladimir Zelensky, a former member of the Ukrainian KVN team "95th Quarter", who then created a creative association under the same name. Zelensky was a member of the board and general producer of the largest Ukrainian TV channel Inter (its controlling shareholder is a billionaire Dmitry Firtash), on which the show "Evening Quarter" was broadcast for many years. Then the TV show moved to the competing TV channel "1 + 1", which is controlled by another oligarch no less well-known to the Russian audience. Igor Kolomoisky.
It is important to name the owners of TV channels with whom Zelensky's creative team collaborated, since the main genre of his jokes is political satire. "Evening Quarter" equally bitingly castigates the entire Ukrainian and Russian elite, ranging from Nikita Dzhigurdy and ending Oleg Lyashko. However, for the mass Russian audience, "Evening Quarter" (coming out, by the way, in Russian) is practically unknown.
But it is widely known that Vladimir Zelensky actively supports official Kyiv in the civil war in Donbass, spoke out against the self-proclaimed DPR and LPR, and at the same time against Moscow and Russia as a whole. The participants of the “95th Quarter” have been constantly speaking to the soldiers of the National Guard of Ukraine for the past two years, and it is also known that at least once (in August 2014) they transferred funds to the soldiers of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO). Speech, according to Ukrainian publications, was about the amount of one million hryvnia (approximately), which went to buy personal hygiene products and medicines for soldiers.
“If Russian performers express anti-Ukrainian views, for me they simply cease to be stars,” Zelensky said in an interview. And before the start of the film "Eight Best Dates" in Russia, Vladimir Zelensky was reminded of this ambivalent position. After all, he criticizes our country, but he earns money in it.
Ministry of Culture against bans. Bye
There was a wave of protest on the Internet against the screening of the film "The Best Eight Dates". Activists of the National Liberation Movement, which is headed by a State Duma deputy from United Russia Nikolai Fedorov held a series of pickets in many cities across the country. The picketers in front of the cinemas held posters with the following content: “Vladimir Zelensky is a bloody buffoon” or “Zelensky is a sponsor of the murders of Donbas residents.”
It is strange, however, that Zelensky presented his previous film Eight New Dates in Russia without any problems in December 2014. Although by that time the Ukrainian showman clearly expressed his position in relation to our country. Nevertheless, the Russian audience actively “voted” for Zelensky with the ruble: 1.6 million Russians watched the film, it collected 335 million rubles at the box office. Let's say, Krasnodar residents put almost 20 million rubles into the "95th quarter" basket, Rostovites - 7 million, Volgograd - 5 million ...
This time, the civil protest against the film by Vladimir Zelensky worked much more powerfully: during the premiere week (which, we recall, fell on the holidays), the film barely recouped the production budget of 75 million rubles. Moreover, for example, all the republics of the North Caucasus added less than 250 thousand rubles to the comedy box. That is, in fact, the picture in the wide box office completely failed. Of course, the Internet action has affected. In addition, many politicians actively campaigned against Zelensky’s painting, starting from the deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Culture Vladimir Bortko and ending with the head of the North Caucasian Association of Orthodox Rehabilitation Centers, a deputy of the Stavropol Regional Duma Nikolai Novopashin.
Ministry of Culture of Russia headed by Vladimir Medinsky spoke out against the ban on the release of the film "The Best Eight Dates". Cinemas (at least those included in large federal networks) also did not begin to rent the film. Meanwhile, in the recent history of the South of Russia, there are many examples when, under pressure from the public, films did not reach the viewer. For different reasons.
"This is propaganda of ruthlessness"
The most recent example is the ban on the erotic melodrama Fifty Shades of Grey, based on the novel by an American writer Erica James, which tells about the sadomasochistic orgies of a student and a billionaire playboy who fell in love with her. The picture received a rental certificate "18+", that is, the audience was asked for passports at the entrance to the cinema halls.
In four republics of the North Caucasus (Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan and North Ossetia), at the request of the local Muslim spiritual administrations, the picture was refused to be shown. “It is necessary to delimit the limits of what is permitted. In the pursuit of profit, concert halls and film venues should not recklessly and blindly follow the lead of unprincipled promoters,” commented the Minister of Culture of North Ossetia Fatima Khabalova.
They were not afraid to show it only in Karachay-Cherkessia, but in the end the distributors went bankrupt - the picture in this region collected only 45 thousand rubles. In Kabardino-Balkaria, the film earned 2.5 million, and in Stavropol - as much as 13 million (that's about 65 thousand viewers): such a huge box office success is due to the fact that freedom-loving youth from neighboring Muslim republics came to the film screenings in the cities of Kavminvod .
The Islamic community was particularly indignant that the priests in the North Caucasus did not demand a ban on the distribution of the film "50 Shades of Black" - a vulgar and base parody of an erotic melodrama (although what could be even more base if "50 Shades of Grey" was recognized as the worst film of 2015 ). However, only two regions with the strongest religious traditions, Chechnya and Ingushetia, refused to show the vulgar comedy.
Involuntarily, the story of 2006 is also recalled, when many cinemas in Russia (including those in the North Caucasus) refused to rent the film The Da Vinci Code, where the New Testament story is interpreted in a special way. One of the initiators of this ban was the then Archbishop of Stavropol Feofan and Chechen mufti Sultan Mirzaev(the latter demanded not only to refuse to show the film in cinemas, but also to refuse to sell cassettes and discs with it). However, the protest excitement around the mediocre film, in general, only fueled the audience's interest.
It is also worth recalling that currently the State Duma deputy from Chechnya Shamsail Saraliev proposes to limit the distribution of Hollywood films in Russia. “Many American horror and thrillers are real propaganda of ruthlessness, violence and immorality. How much do we need this Western ideology? Is it useful to us? It is worth thinking about this seriously, ”the deputy says. But as experience has shown, you should not even think about it. The viewer, as practice has shown, can decide for himself what to watch and what not. Just don't date...
Two days ago, the premiere of the film "8 Best Dates" took place in Russia. The picture, contrary to the expectations of the creators and actors, has already failed miserably at the Russian box office. Even Yandex, when asked for a movie title, gives more news about the film's failures than links to sites with its description.
Most viewers avoid this movie. The main reason for this is actor Vladimir Zelensky, who not so long ago thanked the Ukrainian military for "protection from these scum" (according to the actor, "scum" are residents of Donbass). People do not want to watch a film with his participation, because they understand that part of the income from the film distribution of the film will go to finance the military operation of the Ukrainian security forces against the inhabitants of Donbass. I wonder what the actor was thinking, hoping to make money in Russia?
Many people have previously advocated a ban on the release of the film "8 Best Dates", but in Russia they do not go for an official "ban", because we are not Ukraine, which equalizes politics and creativity. People make their own choice. As it turned out, the majority now takes a sharply negative position in relation to Zelensky, and therefore people are boycotting and ignoring the film.
Despite the fact that the director of the picture was confident of success, today "8 First Dates" is shown in half-empty halls. If in the past all tickets were sold out for the premiere of the first part of the film, this year the situation is different: in most cinemas there was not a single spectator. In many cities, the screening was completely canceled by the decision of cinemas, since it makes no sense to play it just like that, because a hall that is idle without spectators can be filled by showing something else.
In some cities, there was still a small amount of reservation for tickets, but no one bought them.
Even Vera Brezhneva, who has a huge army of fans in Russia, did not save the picture. It was interesting to see the instagram of the main character of the film. In the comments on the photo from the premiere of the film, opinions were divided. Many people love Vera, and therefore, despite the abundance of negative comments about the film and Zelensky, there are many apologies. Approximately half of the messages are written in the spirit: “Sorry, Vera, we love your work very much, but we can’t go to the film with Zelensky in the title role. We think it's wrong."
Lots of negatives:
“Because of this Zelensky, few people will go there. I hope no one goes at all!”
“I am disappointed in Zelensky and also do not want to watch the film and performances with his participation”
“Let him go and show his movie to the heroes of the ATO, the killers of the civilian population of Donbass, whom he fucking supports!”
It got to the point that in some cities there are real demonstrations. People demand to ban the showing of the film.
Moral values in our people are strong, and therefore such a reaction is not even surprising. This film, perhaps, will go only to those who do not watch TV and do not read the news, i.е. one who is not aware of the personal life and harsh statements of Vladimir Zelensky. And this does not make them those who support and share the views of the actor, they simply do not know the reasons for the boycott. Also, the film will not be missed by ardent fans of Vera Brezhneva, who turn a blind eye to everything for the sake of their idol.
You and I often hear statements that sport is out of politics, culture is out of politics, charity is out of politics. Politics is a kind of separate world, allegedly not claiming absolute domination. A world that seems to be OUTSIDE, but at the same time EVERYWHERE...
Politics, no matter how the term is defined, is in fact an opinion. And the more people support this opinion, the stronger the politician. Ask any of your acquaintances - does he have his own opinion? The answer will be clear!
That is, any society is extremely politicized and it is a myth and delusion to consider that politics OUTSIDE something. Politics is our essence. Politics is a kind of game. A game for money, for territory, for resources, for people and for power over all of the above. And as one well-known person said: "Our whole life is a game, and the people in it are actors."
We are all essentially politicians, only of different calibers and playing our own games. And each of our actions is another political step, known only to ourselves.
The absolutely apolitical comedy "8 Best Dates" is released in Russian film distribution. And they kind of tell us, guys, go look. Do not pay attention to the fact that one of the main roles is played by Zelensky. After all, culture is OUTSIDE politics. Bring money and enjoy the acting and funny situations presented in the film.
The Ministry of Culture issued a rental certificate to the film and did not interfere with the show in any way. The near-state structures supported the premiere and its screening in Russian cinemas. The distributor was Central Partnership, which is part of the state holding Gazprom-Media. Leading Russian media publicized this picture on television and radio.
However, as it turned out, people HAVE THEIR OPINION! And a huge number of Russians staged a boycott of this film. The reason is the Ukrainian showman Zelensky. Who bowed to the punishers, sponsored the genocide of the population of Donbass and thanked for the "killing of scum." He thanked for the murder of children, civilians and people who defend their families and their homeland with weapons in their hands.
As a result, the picture did not collect the declared multimillion-dollar money of Russian citizens. Rental enchantingly failed in our country. Has the state influenced the Russians so that they do not bear money for viewing? No! Has the television box influenced the opinion of Russians? Definitely NO! In fact, the protests organized by activists in front of some cinemas were not even covered in the media (apart from a few blogs and websites).
What was the impact then?
And it was influenced by what I have been watching with pleasure in recent years. This is a strong civic position. This is the cohesion of the population. This is your own independent opinion. And thank God, the Russians now have all this!
And if this is the merit of the current policy, it's up to you. Do you have your own opinion on this matter?
The other day in Russia started showing the film "8 Best Dates" distributors "Central Partnership". In the cities of Russia, the start was "below average". As we managed to find out, in the cities of the country they did not favor a picture with the participation of the sponsor "ATO".
Manager of the cinema "Aurora" in Chelyabinsk Olga Nikolaeva reported that only two people came to the film: "There is no one else."
Marketer of the cinema "Mayak" from Omsk Anna told the correspondent On the eve.RU, What "8 Best Dates" started "below average": "On the day of the premiere there were not very many visitors. There are no reviews, few people are interested in the film."
IN Yekaterinburg in one of the largest cinemas in Shopping center "Park House", as well as others - but basically not knowing in advance what to go for, they ask: "Where can you laugh?". In addition, the famous beauty starred in the film: "They go to Vera Brezhnev and laugh."
There is almost no demand for the film in small cinemas, the cinema administrator "Coliseum" said that the rental began on Thursday, but the comedy does not collect full houses: "At the moment we have six people on this film who have not booked for the next sessions."
It is known that in Saratov no one came to the premiere, and they decided to cancel the show altogether. Is this due to the fact that the people are simply tired of stereotyped comedies, or to a film where the leading actor is known as a sponsor of combat groups and operations against civilians in the Donbass? Zelensky criticizes "Russian aggression", but does not stop acting in Russian comedies.
At the end of last year, it became known that the lead actor Vladimir Zelensky turned out to be a supporter of the war in Ukraine. "I went to Zelensky's film - he killed the child of Donbass." Such statements in social networks were the result of a scandal surrounding a comedy coming out in Russian distribution.
"Thank you for protecting us from all scum," Zelensky says to those who killed civilians in Donbass in the "ATO" zone ( this video is well known on the internet). The video shows how the actor performed at the concert and bowed low to the Ukrainian militants. Zelensky-led studio "Kvartal 95" transferred 1 million hryvnia in support of "ATO"."8 First Dates" and "8 New Dates", where Zelensky also played the main role, came out in Russia and raised a total of $14.9 million.
Before dDeputy of the State Duma from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation for the Krasnodar Territory Sergey Obukhov urged the film company Central Partnership and the Gazprom concern to cancel the Russian distribution of the comedy 8 Best Dates: “I urge you to consider the complete termination of cooperation with the sponsor of the criminal military operation against the population of Donbass Vladimir Zelensky, in particular, the refusal to release the film 8 Best Dates "for film distribution," Obukhov said in a statement.
The Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation opposed the ban on the film. "Representatives of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation have repeatedly spoken out about the inappropriateness of imposing sanctions against Ukrainian cinema, as well as individual cultural figures of Ukraine," the press service said.
There are many calls online to boycott the film.
“I won’t go for this g ... even for a surcharge.
Zelensky was not a bad humorist until he confused creativity and politics, a sort of funny clown."
User NMNH writes:
“It would not hurt the figures of the Ministry of Culture to ask questions about whose culture they are bringing to the masses with money from the budget of the Russian Federation.
ps In general, the best measure against these freaks (that this cheap clown, that the figures of the Ministry of Culture) is a boycott. If you don't want to see freaks in your city/country, boycott any economic activity that feeds them. As the classics said, "if you spit at the people, the people will wipe themselves off, but if the people spit at you ..". Strength in unity."
"The artist Zelensky is joking on the screen. And in Gorlovka, 9-year-old Karina Belonog dies from a shrapnel wound. She dies terribly. It hurts, and she does not understand why she was killed."
"And smiles Vera Brezhneva. And in Gorlovka, a Ukrainian shell kills three children. Nastya Konopleva 12 years old, Dasha Konopleva 6 years old, Kirill 1 year old. Dad was picking up his body piece by piece."
"The artist Epifantsev grimaces merrily. And in Odessa, in the House of Trade Unions, Maidan militants mock the body of the anti-fascist Gennady Kushnarev, who died saving women and the elderly."
- Zelensky did not come to the premiere
In Moscow cinemas, the film is shown with average attendance rates, in the regions - they do not go to see it at all. By the way, summer 2 015 painting "8 new datesth" with the participation of Vladimir Zelensky was banned in Ukraine. And although nash Ministry of Culture did not ban the film, but the people expressed themselves clearly.
Lavrov: the film industry should take into account unfriendly attacks ... On the topic: Unsimilators, Russian citizenship: Saratov ignored the premiere of "8 Best Dates".
Zelensky was banned from filming in Russian cinema I liked the comedies with him "8 First Dates" and "8 New Dates", but the latest film "8 Best Dates" is a complete failure.
8 best dates, Marius Weisberg Well, right in the same style as "8 new dates"! In principle, I think this is not news for the director of the film, and therefore the main character is a veterinarian. Nothing, funny cute movie on...
Worthy opinion. Art outside of politics Therefore, I was a little confused by the statements of some people who opposed the fact that the film “8 Best Dates” was shown in Russia because of Vladimir Zelensky ...
Bandera actor Zelensky changed his mind about going to Moscow ... (ATO) and because of his anti-Russian position, he decided not to come to Moscow for the preview of the film "8 Best Dates", in which he played one of the main roles.
Moscow is preparing to meet the Ukrainian sponsor of the punishers... I don’t know whether to cry or laugh, but tomorrow in Russia, in Moscow, there will be another “premier” of the comedy “8 Best Dates” with Ukrainian actor Vladimir Zelensky.
Art outside of politics Someone else's opinion. Therefore, I was a little confused by the statements of some people who opposed the fact that the film “8 Best Dates” was shown in Russia because of Vladimir Zelensky ...
Ukraine: Verkhovna Rada banned films from Russia His sequel "8 Best Dates", released in March this year, caused a flurry of criticism among ordinary Russian viewers.
Results of March: in three months of the Year of Russian Cinema, its losses... And the romantic comedy "8 Best Dates" with a budget of $1.3 million, which collected $2.48 million, closes the top three in March with a budget of $1.3 million.
Review of the film "8 Best Dates" A very kind and positive film. Zelensky is an excellent actor and, to be honest, he, as a rule, draws all his projects on charisma and authority.
How censorship is being revived A storm of indignation took place in connection with the distribution in Russia in early 2016 of Vladimir Zelensky's Ukrainian comedy 8 Best Dates. There is no politics in the film itself...
About cinema A few weeks ago, I came across news reports, they say, no one goes to the film “8 Best Dates”, where the terrible Ukrainian actor Zelensky plays the main role ...
46 million rubles - ... from the boycott of the comedy "8 Best Dates" with... Zelensky.
Will "8 Best Dates" pay off at our box office? Let me remind you that the second part collected 168 million rubles over the weekend, and the first part of the film with Zelensky - 125 million rubles. That is, the 3rd part started three times weaker than the second.
46 million rubles - ... from the boycott of the comedy "8 Best Dates" with ... So, it's time to take stock of the boycott of the film "8 Best Dates", to which he had a hand
46 million rubles - ... from the boycott of the comedy "8 Best Dates" with ... If these people came to power in Russia, they would be happy to make Marius out of the director of the film "8 Best Dates" with a probability of 146% Weisberg
