Russia's Film Industry: Revenues grow, companies struggle with haphazard funding

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01:52

Russia's cinema is world famous and the sales of homegrown films are up. But as Dan Ashby reports, their production companies are still struggling to make ends meet.

Whether it's the dimmed lights or getting a good seat or the moment the reel begins, it seems there are some things about cinema that do travel the world. But when it comes to the film itself, Russians are increasingly looking for local options.

OLGA ZINYAKOVA PRESIDENT, KARO CINEMA CHAIN "We can say that last year that the percentage of Russian movies in the gross box office was around 30%, which is the record for the movies."

But there's also a bleaker picture. Even blockbusters like this one can still flop.

And the state-run film fund is demanding more than 10 million dollars back from 22 film houses because they either cancelled or delayed their films.

DAN ASHBY MOSCOW "Russia has a long history of making cinema and there are plenty of people here who are fans of the big screen. But the problem is not in the popcorn or the punters - it's in the production."

Film companies are struggling with haphazard funding - and the movie behind the curtain often costs too much.

ALEKSANDRA KARYAKINA ILLUSION CINEMA "It's financial. Many companies want to make good films and they have everything for that, but it's hard to find funding. And although the market is developing very well it's very young, it's not like the U.S. market where everything has been set up for decades."

The government says production companies just need more time to pay their dues but the challenge is also increasing ticket sales abroad. So by watching a Russian film, you could actually become their hero. Dan Ashby, CGTN, Moscow.