Russia's cinemas may lose their backdoor access to Hollywood blockbusters

Since 2022, "pre-screening entertainment" — as the practice is known locally — has allowed Russian cinema-goers to watch Hollywood blockbusters, even as these cannot be legally distributed due to international sanctions imposed after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Alexey Voronkov, the president of Russia's Association of Cinema Owners, said on Sept. 7 that the situation might soon change, with upcoming installments of the Dune and Avengers sagas, as well as other new Hollywood blockbusters, unlikely to be screened anytime soon.

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