Head of Belarusfilm calls for diversification of Belarusian cinema

The head of Belarusian national film studio Belarusfilm, Igor Porshnev, has urged Belarusian filmmakers to make a variety of movies, rather than focussing on one topic.

Mr Porshnev made the comments while appearing on TV show “Close up” on Belarusian state TV.

“We need to make diverse cinema and not focus on one theme. If I have a tank, should I film it every day? [...] Of course chernukha films are the easiest to sell, but we need to make dignified films,” he stated, referring to the tendency toward grim pessimism in film.

The general director of the studio also noted that in Belarus it is impossible to recoup the costs of filmmaking, due to the relatively small audiences, but that once reconstruction of the Belarusfilm studio is completed, foreign filmmakers will be able to use the facility. According to Mr Porshnev, negotiations with China are under way regarding joint productions and use of the studio by Chinese filmmakers.

The renovated Belarusfilm studio is due to be completed in December 2016.

Source: Belta (in Russian)