Russia scraps Lenfilm sale after directors’ plea

Russia on Thursday shelved a plan to privatise the country’s oldest film studio, Lenfilm, after top directors including the prize-winning Alexander Sokurov protested to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.


The culture ministry has withdrawn its proposal to sell 75 per cent of the studio to AFK Sistema, a vast holding company, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to AFP.he crumbling complex covering 10 acres in central Saint Petersburg was founded in 1918, making classics such as the legendary Soviet film version of “Hamlet” starring Innokenty Smoktunovsky. But in recent years it has fallen into disrepair.AFK Systema, whose chairman of the board is billionaire Vladimir Yevtushenkov, owns companies including Detsky Mir children’s stores and Intourist travel agent.


It owns a film company, Russian World Studios (RWS) with a large modern facilities in northern Saint Petersburg. The plan was for Lenfilm to be incorporated into RWS.


Sokurov last week praised Putin for helping him find funding for “Faust”and said the premier called to congratulate him just seven minutes after he received the Venice prize.