The Canadian company IMAX banned the showing of films in the format of the same name after leaving Russia.
Despite the fact that the equipment belongs to cinemas, owners of cinema networks cannot use it to broadcast films in IMAX.
As Alexei Vasyasin, the general director of the combined cinema network Cinema Park and Formula Kino, told RT, it will not be possible to show the tape in IMAX without a key for the DCP format (Digital Cinema Package).
This key is, in a way, the permission of the copyright holder.
“Technically, in order to show a film in the IMAX format, the copyright holder or distributor issues a key for the DCP format, respectively, distributors cannot release this key without agreeing on sanctions.
Here they are against the release of keys, including for Russian content, ”the owner of the cinema network explained.
Alexei Vasyasin also believes that the return of the Canadian company to the Russian market is possible with the settlement of political conflicts, but the conditions for cooperation will be different.
“I don't have any predictions.
In general, in the event that some political issues are settled, any businessman, and IMAX is no exception, will want to return.
Another question is whether we are ready to cooperate on the same terms.
I think no.
But with an agreement, I think that the return of IMAX to Russia is possible, ”the expert noted.
When asked how the terms of cooperation with the named company will change, Alexei Vasyasin did not disclose the details, but noted that they would be fair.
“They will be fairer.
Russians are not tough people, they are fair, ”said the general director of the cinema network.
Member of the Council of the Association of Cinema Owners (AVK) Mikhail Malakhov agrees with the opinion of Alexei Vasyasin.
According to Malakhov, all the current identified problems are really relevant.
"That's not news.
All the problems that Alexei Vasyasin outlined in an interview are correct.
The way it is.
- said a member of the board of AVK.
- The equipment was purchased by the owners of cinema networks, it belongs to them.
We are talking about the possibility of showing in the IMAX format, but this is not possible right now.”
Also on russian.rt.com “The legal field is just the basics of life”: what experts say about showing Hollywood films without a license
Earlier, Alexei Vasyasin, in an interview with RBC, said that the Canadian company IMAX, which left the Russian market in the summer, banned the use of this format in Russia, including for showing domestic films.
He noted that if the company does not return to Russia by the end of this year, courts await it.
Mikhail Malakhov also believes that cinema chains cooperating with the Canadian company IMAX have no other options but to file a lawsuit.
“If the company does not return to Russia, the case may go to lawsuits.
Let's say I have purchased some equipment for a business, and by decision of the second party, the conduct of this business becomes impossible.
Therefore, it is logical that some time is being waited and lawsuits are being filed, ”the member of the AVK council believes.
Malakhov believes that the return of Hollywood majors and IMAX is possible, however, according to him, it is hard to believe in this every day.
“I am an optimist, and I want to believe in the best, but I do not think that the company will return.
Some kind of market redistribution is expected if the Hollywood majors return.
But these forecasts are ungrateful,” he said.
According to Alexey Vasyasin, there are worthy analogues of IMAX on the market in terms of the quality of video and sound, but they are not so well known to the audience.
“In terms of picture quality - a laser projector, Dolby Atmos sound - no worse, and maybe even better.
It's like asking you if there is an analogue of the Coca-Cola drink in Russia.
It seems that there is Chernogolovka, but in terms of popularity, it still does not reach Coke.
It's the same with IMAX.
From the point of view of brand popularity, the audience has no analogues, but from the point of view of picture quality, you can achieve no worse sound and video quality,” Vasyasin said.
This situation has not affected all cinema networks in Russia.
So, the operating director of the Mori Cinema network, Anna Titova, in a conversation with RT, noted that their cinema network had ceased to cooperate with IMAX about a year ago.
“We terminated the contract with IMAX.
This happened probably a year ago, so all the equipment was our property, but now the servers have changed, and we can show everything we want there.
Therefore, in the IMAX hall, we are now showing current content.
This did not affect our network in any way, ”said Anna Titova.
Problems in the Russian film distribution industry began during the coronavirus pandemic and worsened in March 2022, when, against the backdrop of a special operation to protect Donbass, the largest Hollywood studios, including Warner Bros., Sony and The Walt Disney Company, refused to show their new films at territory of Russia.
In early August, the Association of Cinema Owners (AVK), on behalf of the organization's chairman Alexei Voronkov, published an appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a request to instruct the government to develop and implement real support measures for the film distribution industry as soon as possible.
Then Alexey Voronkov told RT that the members of AVK have been trying to “get through” to the authorities for six months and offer different ways to return viewers to the cinema halls.
“Today, all the support measures that have been proposed, including those of the Ministry of Culture, are of a certain capitalist nature, even the Pushkin Card, which was introduced as a lifeline for cinemas.
It started on February 1st, long before this crisis, and was aimed only at increasing attendance.
The card really made 10-15% of the turnover.
But the turnover of cinemas has now fallen by 70%, ”explained Alexei Voronkov, chairman of AVK.
The expert specified that from 140 to 180 cinemas in Russia are now closed and that in the fall, AVK members expect a second wave of movie theater bankruptcies.