Film critic Evgeny Bazhenov told news outlet NSN that reports of poor copy quality will not stop Russian fans from watching Spider-Man: A New Day. The blockbuster movie entered shadow distribution in Russian movie theaters on August 20 under a pre-show service format.
According to film industry publication Cinemaplex, the unauthorized Russian release faces technical issues, with some theaters potentially screening copies that feature low image resolution and incorrect color rendering. Bazhenov stated that these technical warnings have not frightened audiences, noting that tickets for screenings are already selling out fast.
The feature film arrives in Russian cinemas three weeks after its global premiere. Bazhenov explained that while a portion of potential viewers has likely already watched pirated versions online, the main audience continues to wait for the theatrical release because watching a movie at home is fundamentally different from visiting a cinema.
Shadow distribution, often structured as pre-show servicing, has become widespread in Russian cinemas following the exit of major Western entertainment studios. Under this arrangement, theater operators screen unlicenced foreign films prior to officially registered Russian short films, allowing venues to generate box office earnings despite the lack of official distribution agreements.
Scandal Surrounding Domestic Films Restricts Screening Schedules
A recent scandal involving the domestic Russian release The Last Warrior: Kolobok could disrupt smooth theatrical screenings for Spider-Man: A New Day. Bazhenov noted that intense public scrutiny following the dispute has created a challenging environment for parallel distribution. He explained that Spider-Man became a direct competitor to domestic Russian productions, including fairy-tale movies, whereas another foreign release, The Odyssey, drew significantly less attention.
Bazhenov predicted that theater managers will now schedule shadow screenings with extreme caution to avoid angering government authorities. He emphasized that overall box office collections will depend directly on the number of showtimes allocated by theaters. If Spider-Man had received a screening schedule comparable to Kolobok, he noted, ticket revenues would have been much higher and auditoriums would have been filled at least half full.
Government Proposals and Compulsory Licensing Debates
The controversial premiere occurs amidst ongoing debates among Russian officials regarding unauthorized foreign media consumption. Russian presidential advisor Elena Yampolskaya recently advocated for a comprehensive state solution to govern shadow distribution, suggesting Russia adopt a legal framework similar to Belarus's compulsory licensing system. Such a model allows domestic entities to utilize copyrighted works without permission from rightsholders, provided mandatory royalty payments are deposited.
However, Russian film director Alexander Voitinsky questioned the legal viability of compulsory licensing for foreign titles. Voitinsky, who directed popular domestic fairy-tale movies including By the Will of the Pike, Tinderbox, and Yaga on Our Head, told NSN that while the state's desire to control and tax shadow distribution revenues is understandable, compulsory licensing cannot make unauthorized foreign screenings legal under copyright law.
