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An adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s iconic Russian novel “The Master and Margarita” is inching closer to a Western release as it heads to AFM this week.

The feature, directed by Michael Lockshin (“Silver Skates”), was a victim of the sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, despite both Locksin and the film itself being critical of Putin’s authoritarianism.

With the film’s rights now in the clear, Luminosity Pictures have boarded the project as sales agent, launching at AFM.

“The Master and Margarita” stars August Diehl (“Inglourious Basterds”), Claes Bang (“Bad Sisters”), Evgeniy Tsyganov (The Man Who Surprised Everyone”) and Yulia Snigir (“A Good Day to Die Hard”). Lockshin co-wrote the screenplay with Roman Kantor based on Bulgakov’s semi-autobiographical and anti-authoritarian novel, which has sold over 100 million copies internationally and been translated into over 40 languages.

The film, set in the Stalinist Soviet Union of the 1930s,...

Just days after the Russian blockbuster “The Master and Margarita” surged to the top of the domestic box office, Kremlin cronies, pro-war propagandists and an army of online trolls have waged a campaign to discredit the film and its director, Michael Lockshin, a U.S. citizen who was raised in the Soviet Union and has been outspoken in his opposition to the war in Ukraine.

A source close to the film, who asked not to be named out of fear of potential repercussions, tells Variety that the movie’s staggering success and pointed critique of authoritarian rule has struck a nerve in right-wing circles at a time when Russian President Vladimir Putin has cracked down on any form of dissent.

“The propagandists are both envious and also hateful that a movie with an anti-censorship, anti-totalitarian, anti-war message is getting so much popularity, that they have doubled down,” the source said.

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Russian filmmakers had been doing their best to build up new international cultural relations and embed our country into a global art world. Vladimir Putin has unearthed the hatchet and buried all these efforts by our national talents.

On Feb. 24, President Putin declared war on Ukraine in all but name. But war has been waged inside Russia for years. Culture — cinema to be exact — has become a battlefield. We now have to stand up for the right to talk about issues we have been discussing for decades.

The so-called “gay propaganda” law, the infamous anti-gay legislation, has prevented LGBTQ filmmakers like me from representing my community without demeaning euphemisms. It was impossible, for example, in my country to shoot and release a series about a 15-year-old transgender girl. I’ve seen such stories seep into pitching sessions, only to be killed before getting the green light.

Katerina Pshenitsyna is joining from Central Partnership in a big shake-up of the Russian scene.

Leading international producer Alexander Rodnyansky’s Russian production outfit Ar Content has appointed Central Partnership executive Katerina Pshenitsyna as director of international business development and co-productions, in what is a significant shake-up of the Russian film sales and production scene.

Pshenitsyna was formerly vice president, international distribution at Central Partnership.

Rodnyansky is Russia’s leading international-focused producer, with credits including Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Oscar-nominated Leviathan and Loveless.

“I have always been fascinated with the work of Alexander Rodnyansky and the global impact his projects make,...

Russian production and distribution powerhouse Central Partnership has unveiled a slate of upcoming releases at the Toronto International Film Festival, which Variety can reveal exclusively.

Among the films they’ll be introducing to foreign buyers are the latest blockbuster from Sergey Mokritskiy, whose 2015 WWII epic “Battle of Sevastopol” sold worldwide after conquering the Russian box office; an actioner based on a true story of heroism during the Syrian War; and a trilogy following the exploits of the beloved fictional character Ostap Bender.

“In Russia we are the major producer and distributor of local titles, and we will continue strengthening this position by working with our filmmakers on creating truly international content that suits the widest audience not only locally but in the world,” says Central Partnership CEO Vadim Vereschagin. “Our slate has become more diverse as we continue our efforts in bringing the best of Russian cinematography to international audiences.

Exclusive: German actor August Diehl, whose credits include The Young Karl Marx, Inglourious Basterds and A Hidden Life, has signed on to play the lead role in big-budget Russian drama Woland.

The $15M project is a loose adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s classic novel The Master and Margarita, one of the most read books in Russia’s history. Michael Lockshin (Silver Skates) is directing from a screenplay by Roman Kantor and Michael Lockshinbased.

Starring alongside Diehl are Yulia Snigir and Evgeniy Tsyganov. Set in Moscow in the 1930s, the film will weave together the novel’s narrative with Bulgakov’s own history in Russia. It will follow a promising young writer who at the height of his career finds himself in the middle of a scandal of both literary and political nature – his new novel is being crushed by harsh idealistic critics, who say that his vivid depiction of Christ...

As the ambassador for this year’s Key Buyers Event, the annual showcase for Russian content and talent organized by state film promotion body Roskino, leading man Yuri Kolokolnikov, who was born in Moscow but raised in Canada, sees himself as a fitting spokesperson for an event designed to build bridges.

“Since early childhood, my life was between East and West. I witnessed how the world has become unified, in spite of all the existing disagreements,” he told Variety. “Our industry is at the cutting edge of this movement. We all want to get to know each other. And I would like to continue to be part of this connecting tissue.”

Kolokolnikov’s Hollywood career began auspiciously when he met casting director Nina Gold, who was in Russia scouting actors for “Game of Thrones.” She offered him an audition, and he was soon cast as Styr, leader of the fierce,...

You know what everyone could use in the sweltering summer months? A nice, cold glass of…anime. At least that’s the particular theme that comes up in Netflix’s list of new releases for June 2021.

Netflix has been quietly expanding their anime offerings for awhile now but June is a particularly anime-heavy month. The absolutely metal sounding Record of Ragnarok arrives this month. So too do parts 1 and 2 of the newest Sailor Moon film on June 3 and Godzilla Singular Point on June 24.

Read more TV Yasuke Review: Netflix Anime Reclaims The Story of a Black Samurai By Caroline Cao TV Anime For Beginners: Best Genres and Series to Watch By Daniel Kurland

But for those who aren’t ready to dip their toe in the anime pool yet, Netflix has some other originals of note in June. Sweet Tooth, the ambitious comic adaptation starring Will Forte premieres on June 4. Then,...

Disney Russia recorded box office takings of $22m over the New Year period.

Russian cinemas have reported a healthy boost in takings over the New Year period, offsetting a more gloomy picture at the global box office.

While the ongoing virus crisis has seen the closure of some cinemas in Russia – and restrictions reduce capacity to between 25-50%, dependant on region – both mainstream and arthouse features have been doing robust business.

Thomas Vinterberg’s Another Round, starring Mads Mikkelsen, has grossed $1.3m in the territory since its release on November 12 by Capella Film. It makes the award-winning Danish feature and...

Disney Russia recorded box office takings of $22m over the New Year period.

Russian cinemas have reported a healthy boost in takings over the New Year period, offsetting a more gloomy picture at the global box office.

While the ongoing virus crisis has seen the closure of some cinemas in Russia – and restrictions reduce capacity to between 25-50%, dependant on region – both mainstream and arthouse features have been doing robust business.

Thomas Vinterberg’s Another Round, starring Mads Mikkelsen, has grossed $1.4m in the territory since its release on November 12 by Capella Film. It makes the award-winning Danish feature and...

Disney Russia recorded box office takings of $22m over the New Year period.

Russian cinemas have reported a healthy boost in takings over the New Year period, offsetting a more gloomy picture at the global box office.

While the ongoing virus crisis has seen the closure of some cinemas in Russia – and restrictions reduce capacity to between 25-50%, dependant on region – both mainstream and arthouse features have been doing robust business.

Thomas Vinterberg’s Another Round, starring Mads Mikkelsen, has grossed $1.4m in the territory since its release on November 12 by Capella Film. It makes the award-winning Danish feature and...

Russian production and distribution company Central Partnership is hoping for a scorching run at the box office with the upcoming release of “Fire,” a big-budget, high-octane actioner about heroic smokejumpers racing against disaster. Variety has been given exclusive access to the first trailer for a film slated to hit Russian theaters on Christmas Eve.

Central Partnership CEO Vadim Vereshchagin says the production of “Fire,” which was filmed in the spring and summer of 2019, is all but unprecedented in terms of its scope and technical complexity. “Nothing has ever been done in Russia of that scale,” he says, adding that Central Partnership expects to close deals on all international territories during AFM.

In order to recreate a raging forest fire without damaging any living trees, the production team constructed a sprawling woodland set in the Siberian wilds, using cut trees and crafty stage design. Adding to the film’s authenticity, the...

This year, 831 Loews is home to the “Created in Moscow” brand, which allies 17 Russian companies. The branding is supported by the Moscow Export Center, which recognizes the contribution made by the creative industries to the Russian economy. The “Created in Moscow” lineup will be featured in a presentation on the Venice stage at the Loews building on Nov. 7 at 10 a.m.

Although Russia has many fine arthouse auteurs, at Afm buyers can find a strong selection of commercial, mainstream titles from Russia, including many genre pics and CG animated features.

Eugenia Markova, director of industry relations at Russia’s Expocontent, says: “Russia is facing year-on-year 20% sales growth on the global market. The local film industry is not only about art-house and animation – although these two are traditionally strong. Russia is producing more and more original content of all types and genres, targeting wider audiences.”

Art Pictures Studio is selling helmer Fedor Bondarchuk’s “Invasion,...