Russian Security Council official Alexey Shevtsov has requested an evaluation into negative online reactions directed at the film The Last Warrior: Kolobok. Speaking at a session of the Eastern Economic Forum, the Security Council deputy secretary stated that the criticism surrounding the movie was unfounded.
Shevtsov said many people had written angry comments online without watching the movie. He asked colleagues to assess the negative background that he claimed was specially created around the domestic production, according to a report by a special correspondent for the National News Service (NSN).
The online backlash began before the premiere of the new Russian film. Outraged fans of the Spider-Man superhero series protested after local release dates were shifted to prioritize the domestic fantasy franchise. Although the global premiere of the superhero movie featuring Zendaya and Tom Holland took place on July 27, unauthorized cinema screenings in Russia were rescheduled to August 20 to accommodate the domestic rollout of Kolobok on August 6.
Addressing the state of domestic cinema, Shevtsov argued that the quality of Russian filmmaking has grown significantly since the 1990s. He noted that domestic studios now produce documentaries, feature films, and animations that serve as export products influencing young viewers worldwide.
Unlawful film distribution
Shevtsov pointed to the animated series Masha and the Bear as an example of successful Russian media exports, noting that the cartoon was banned in Ukraine. He argued that foreign bans demonstrate the strength of Russian cultural projects, adding that current film productions rely on new Russian technologies while reviving traditional filmmaking techniques from the Soviet era.
The debate over domestic release schedules follows earlier comments by Elena Drapeko, the deputy chair of the Culture Committee in the Russian State Duma. Speaking on NSN radio, Drapeko took a sharp stance against unauthorized screenings of foreign blockbusters, proposing that data regarding shadow film distribution should be turned over to law enforcement agencies for investigation.
The Security Council serves as a key constitutional body advising the Russian presidency on national security affairs, while the Eastern Economic Forum is held annually to attract international business and investment to the Russian Far East. Russia has increasingly sought to boost domestic film production as major Hollywood studios halted official theatrical releases across the country.
