“They are working on socially important projects”: Nikita Mikhalkov asked for a deferment from mobilization for filmmakers

The head of the Union of Cinematographers of Russia, Nikita Mikhalkov, wrote an appeal to Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin with a request to grant a deferment from conscription as part of partial mobilization to filmmakers who are working on socially significant projects.

Mikhalkov clarified that he does not require a complete release from service.

The director noted that we are talking about a temporary respite from mobilization for filmmakers who are currently filming.

Moreover, they should be engaged in projects that are socially important, have a moral value, and work on them is carried out mainly with funds allocated by the state.

“I’m not asking for anyone to be released from the army, I’m only talking about the fact that the filming processes launched (and mostly with state money) if they really have artistic and moral value, be completed and come to the audience.

It is for this period that I ask to give a respite to those without whom these projects cannot be completed, ”TASS quotes the words of the director.

Mikhalkov noted that all other speculation about the motives for his request, let the "friends" keep to themselves.

In addition, the director cited as an example the filmmakers who filmed the “great chronicle on the front line” during the Second World War, and the actors, screenwriters and directors worked on films that made it easier for the population to experience the events taking place, and for the soldiers to defend their homeland.

“The cameramen who filmed the great chronicle on the front lines, the actors, directors, screenwriters who worked on films that helped soldiers fight and the people survive all the hardships of war, concert teams that performed both on the front lines and in hospitals - all of them, along with their people did one thing.

So, keeping all this in mind, most of my fellow filmmakers of all ages are ready to help their country in every possible way at this difficult moment, ”said Mikhalkov.

Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Culture Elena Drapeko supported the idea of ​​Nikita Mikhalkov.

In an interview with the Govorit Moskva radio station, the politician said that in this case it would be necessary to assess the importance of these projects and choose the most significant ones from them.

“In this part, I agree with Nikita Sergeevich Mikhalkov.

We need to see the projects that are running.

Perhaps they sometimes make an even greater impression on the people than military victories,” said Drapeko. 

At the same time, the parliamentarian noted that the rest of the film industry workers should be equal with all citizens and be mobilized if necessary. 

“They are citizens just like everyone else.

We know many famous artists who fought during the Great Patriotic War, were awarded medals and orders, returned back from the front and created amazing works of art that told about those war years,” Drapeko explained.

In her opinion, a deferment should be given to students "who already have a higher education or have entered directing, at a stationary faculty."

She believes that such specialists are very rare, so it is necessary to preserve such creative personnel. 

Sergei Selyanov, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Film and Television Producers (APKiT), also addressed the Prime Minister of Russia with a request for a delay for filmmakers from mobilization.

In a letter, a copy of which was published on the Zakuliska Telegram channel, the producer recalled that many programs, films and series that are broadcast daily on TV channels, online and in cinemas have not only an entertainment function, but also an "important social mission" .

“Through the images, actions and stories embodied in the cinema, domestic films, cartoons and serials have a positive impact on society, including helping to raise patriotism and ensure the unity of the spirit of the Russian people,” Selyanov explained, emphasizing that audiovisual works created by industry workers make up about 80% of the airtime of all federal TV channels. 

Among other things, he asked the government to take into account that many film industry specialists do not have specialized higher education, “including due to the lack of educational programs in the relevant specialties.”

“In this regard, we ask you to extend the exemption to all workers involved in the production of national films in the relevant specialties, which can be determined by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation,” writes Sergey Selyanov.

In continuation of the request, the Chairman of the Board of APKiT proposed to organize the submission of information about the filmmakers involved in the production "in the one-stop shop" through the Ministry of Culture.

At the same time, an organization working on a particular film project must provide an application for each of the specialists in the form established by the ministry, a copy of the certificate of a domestic film, as well as documents that confirm the participation of the declared citizens in the work on the film - an employment contract or an agreement on the provision of temporary services .

“We ask you to support the domestic film industry in the issue of exemption from the mobilization of citizens involved in the production and distribution of national films,” Selyanov concluded.

The decree on partial mobilization in the country was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 21, 2022.

At that time, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu specified that about 300 thousand citizens would be called up as part of the mobilization.

The other day, the Russian Ministry of Defense also published a list with categories of citizens who will not be drafted.

Among them are employees of IT organizations, Russian telecom operators, employees of companies that ensure the stability of the national payment system and financial market infrastructure, as well as organizations in the field of information and communications.