Exclusive: Mars Media’s Ruben Dishdishyan and Amedia Production’s Len Blavatnik, two of the most significant figures in the Russian biz, have entered into a five-year agreement to co-produce and co-finance feature films.
The deal is a formalization of an existing partnership that to date has seen the companies team on projects including local box office hit A Dog Named Palma as well as its upcoming sequel, and the war drama T-34, which was a box office smash in China and was picked up for international territories by Netflix. In post-production are historical epic Woland, an adaptation of The Master and Margarita, and sci-fi action-adventure Mira.
The producers are aiming to make 10 features together over the next five years. Already in development are Alexander Pushkin’s epic fairytale Ruslan and Ludmila and an adaptation of Boris and Arkady Strugatsky’s famed sci-fi mystery novel The Dead Mountaineer’s Hotel.
The deal is a formalization of an existing partnership that to date has seen the companies team on projects including local box office hit A Dog Named Palma as well as its upcoming sequel, and the war drama T-34, which was a box office smash in China and was picked up for international territories by Netflix. In post-production are historical epic Woland, an adaptation of The Master and Margarita, and sci-fi action-adventure Mira.
The producers are aiming to make 10 features together over the next five years. Already in development are Alexander Pushkin’s epic fairytale Ruslan and Ludmila and an adaptation of Boris and Arkady Strugatsky’s famed sci-fi mystery novel The Dead Mountaineer’s Hotel.
- 1/11/2022
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
The year 2021 marked 10 years in the business for Mars Media, the leading Russian content company founded by Ruben Dishdishyan, who previously set up and ran fellow major player Central Partnership.
At Mars, Dishdishyan and his team initially focused on producing TV, but have since moved more into the film business, at a time when most of the industry seems to be going in the other direction. The pivot to large-screen production has paid dividends, however, with its family movie Palma proving a local hit, and spawning a sequel, while its war pic T-34 was both a local box office success and also made waves in China. On the horizon, Mars’ projects include Woland, the $15M drama starring Inglorious Basterds actor August Diehl in a loose adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s classic novel The Master and Margarita.
Deadline sat down with Dishdishyan to cast our eyes back over a decade of operating in the Russian market.
At Mars, Dishdishyan and his team initially focused on producing TV, but have since moved more into the film business, at a time when most of the industry seems to be going in the other direction. The pivot to large-screen production has paid dividends, however, with its family movie Palma proving a local hit, and spawning a sequel, while its war pic T-34 was both a local box office success and also made waves in China. On the horizon, Mars’ projects include Woland, the $15M drama starring Inglorious Basterds actor August Diehl in a loose adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s classic novel The Master and Margarita.
Deadline sat down with Dishdishyan to cast our eyes back over a decade of operating in the Russian market.
- 12/31/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
When the Soyuz Ms-19 spaceship blasts off from Russia’s Baikonur Cosmodrome on Oct. 5, bound for the International Space Station, Vadim Vereschagin – CEO of production and distribution giant Central Partnership – believes his company’s prospects will likewise lift into the stratosphere.
Onboard the ship will be director Klim Shipenko and actor Yulia Peresild, who are setting out on a 12-day mission to film scenes from the upcoming drama “The Challenge” aboard the station. Produced by public broadcaster Channel One and leading studio Yellow, Black and White, in collaboration with the Russian space agency Roscosmos, the first-of-its-kind feature will be distributed by Central Partnership.
Vereschagin says the cosmic shoot is a “dream” for him personally, as well as a fitting milestone for a company that’s celebrating its quarter-century anniversary this year. “This project, for us, is the pinnacle of all the 25 years that we’ve done so far,” he says.
Onboard the ship will be director Klim Shipenko and actor Yulia Peresild, who are setting out on a 12-day mission to film scenes from the upcoming drama “The Challenge” aboard the station. Produced by public broadcaster Channel One and leading studio Yellow, Black and White, in collaboration with the Russian space agency Roscosmos, the first-of-its-kind feature will be distributed by Central Partnership.
Vereschagin says the cosmic shoot is a “dream” for him personally, as well as a fitting milestone for a company that’s celebrating its quarter-century anniversary this year. “This project, for us, is the pinnacle of all the 25 years that we’ve done so far,” he says.
- 10/4/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
A selection of Russian films will screen in-person during the Beijing International Film Festival (Bjiff) through a collaboration with the new Russian Film Festival, part of an effort by both governments to promote Russian cinema in China and cultural exchange.
The Chinese festival is set to run from Sept. 17 to Sept. 30 as an in-person event after being pushed back from its typical April release date due to the pandemic. Given its close ties to Chinese film authorities, it is often a platform to showcase works from countries with which China hopes to strengthen political ties.
The Russian Film Festival is a program targeting international audiences via a series of online screenings organized by state-run Roskino and backed by Russia’s ministry of culture, in response to the global shutdown of cinemas amid the pandemic. Last year, the festival was held online in Australia, Mexico, Spain and Brazil. This year, it has gone up in Argentina,...
The Chinese festival is set to run from Sept. 17 to Sept. 30 as an in-person event after being pushed back from its typical April release date due to the pandemic. Given its close ties to Chinese film authorities, it is often a platform to showcase works from countries with which China hopes to strengthen political ties.
The Russian Film Festival is a program targeting international audiences via a series of online screenings organized by state-run Roskino and backed by Russia’s ministry of culture, in response to the global shutdown of cinemas amid the pandemic. Last year, the festival was held online in Australia, Mexico, Spain and Brazil. This year, it has gone up in Argentina,...
- 9/15/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
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.
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.
- 9/9/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Central Partnership announces Thursday that Mexican, Indian, South Korean, Japanese, Spanish, and Italian adaptation rights to Russian comedy “Son of a Rich” have been acquired by Sony Pictures International Productions, with French rights acquired by Snd Films and Polish rights acquired by Monolith Films.
Produced by Yellow, Black & White Production Studio, Mem Cinema, and United Companies of Gpm Kit (part of Gazprom-Media Holding), along with the support of the Cinema Foundation of Russia, “Son of a Rich” is currently the highest-grossing Russian film to date, it has taken in 3.071 billion rubles in Russia and has grossed a total of over $1.8 million Usd abroad.
Laine Kline, Head of Sony Pictures International Productions, the local-language production arm of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Motion Picture Group, said “From the moment we watched Son of a Rich, we knew it was special. We couldn’t be more excited to adapt this picture for new...
Produced by Yellow, Black & White Production Studio, Mem Cinema, and United Companies of Gpm Kit (part of Gazprom-Media Holding), along with the support of the Cinema Foundation of Russia, “Son of a Rich” is currently the highest-grossing Russian film to date, it has taken in 3.071 billion rubles in Russia and has grossed a total of over $1.8 million Usd abroad.
Laine Kline, Head of Sony Pictures International Productions, the local-language production arm of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Motion Picture Group, said “From the moment we watched Son of a Rich, we knew it was special. We couldn’t be more excited to adapt this picture for new...
- 6/4/2021
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
Production in Russia has continued apace throughout much of the coronavirus pandemic, and a broad slate of titles launching at the virtual edition of this year’s European Film Market — from high-concept period dramas to psychological thrillers to horror pics — will look to tap into international interest in the fast-growing industry. “For us, it’s business as usual — boosting that potential,” says Vadim Vereshchagin, CEO of Central Partnership.
During EFM, Vereshchagin’s production and distribution outfit will launch sales on a raft of titles including “The World Champion,” a drama based on the legendary 1978 chess match between Soviet world champion Anatoly Karpov and the dissident Viktor Korchnoi. The co-production with Nikita Mikhalkov’s Studio TriTe and pubcaster Russia-1 is directed by Alexey Sidorov, who helmed the WWII blockbuster “T-34.”
Set in the noir atmosphere of 1920s Russia, “December” follows the last days of Sergey Yesenin, a famous Russian poet and...
During EFM, Vereshchagin’s production and distribution outfit will launch sales on a raft of titles including “The World Champion,” a drama based on the legendary 1978 chess match between Soviet world champion Anatoly Karpov and the dissident Viktor Korchnoi. The co-production with Nikita Mikhalkov’s Studio TriTe and pubcaster Russia-1 is directed by Alexey Sidorov, who helmed the WWII blockbuster “T-34.”
Set in the noir atmosphere of 1920s Russia, “December” follows the last days of Sergey Yesenin, a famous Russian poet and...
- 3/4/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
“The Chinese team has used Russian footage to tell a new story.”
Jin Cai, founder and CEO of Beijing-based Turbo Film Corporation, did not panic when she discovered how heavily pirated her sci-fi title, a Russian film called Coma, had been.
Instead, she read the comments and altered the film accordingly. Over 20,000 users had posted reviews on Douban, the Chinese equivalent to IMDb, and clips had been viewed more than 100 million times on TikTok.
Turbo’s planned theatrical release in the summer of 2020 had been postponed due to the pandemic but, given the levels of piracy, showing the film in...
Jin Cai, founder and CEO of Beijing-based Turbo Film Corporation, did not panic when she discovered how heavily pirated her sci-fi title, a Russian film called Coma, had been.
Instead, she read the comments and altered the film accordingly. Over 20,000 users had posted reviews on Douban, the Chinese equivalent to IMDb, and clips had been viewed more than 100 million times on TikTok.
Turbo’s planned theatrical release in the summer of 2020 had been postponed due to the pandemic but, given the levels of piracy, showing the film in...
- 1/21/2021
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
While cinemas worldwide have spent the better part of this year shuttered or operating at limited capacity, few film industries have felt the pain quite like Russia’s, which generates roughly 80% of its revenues from theatrical receipts, according to Evgenia Markova, head of the Russian film promotion body Roskino.
But while local profits have plummeted, Russian producers continue to find growing interest from foreign buyers, with Markova pointing to strong sales at Mipcom and at the Key Buyers Event, a virtual showcase for domestic productions that took place this summer.
“The Russian industry has learned to adapt to all the new circumstances,” she says. “It became more flexible, and more responsive to the needs of the global market.” A number of high-profile Russian projects will be introduced to foreign buyers during AFM, beginning with “Major Grom and the Plague Doctor,” a big-screen adaptation of the hit comic-book franchise from Bubble Comics.
But while local profits have plummeted, Russian producers continue to find growing interest from foreign buyers, with Markova pointing to strong sales at Mipcom and at the Key Buyers Event, a virtual showcase for domestic productions that took place this summer.
“The Russian industry has learned to adapt to all the new circumstances,” she says. “It became more flexible, and more responsive to the needs of the global market.” A number of high-profile Russian projects will be introduced to foreign buyers during AFM, beginning with “Major Grom and the Plague Doctor,” a big-screen adaptation of the hit comic-book franchise from Bubble Comics.
- 11/9/2020
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
In the weeks following the inaugural edition of the Key Buyers Event, a showcase for new Russian productions held in Moscow last fall, Roskino CEO Evgenia Markova reached out to scores of international guests who had made the trip to the Russian capital. After what was largely perceived as a successful event, in which dozens of Russian titles sold to foreign buyers, Markova wanted to understand what else the film promotion body could do to support the continued growth of the Russian industry.
One piece of advice stood out. “Not many Russian names are known abroad,” says Markova. The consensus among many of the buyers in attendance was that “this is definitely what [Roskino] should work on: you should promote your actors, your producers, your directors. You should show the world you exist.”
For the Key Buyers Event: Digital Edition, an online platform to showcase and promote Russian content that takes...
One piece of advice stood out. “Not many Russian names are known abroad,” says Markova. The consensus among many of the buyers in attendance was that “this is definitely what [Roskino] should work on: you should promote your actors, your producers, your directors. You should show the world you exist.”
For the Key Buyers Event: Digital Edition, an online platform to showcase and promote Russian content that takes...
- 6/10/2020
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
This week the Key Buyers Event: Digital Edition, organized by Russian film promotion body Roskino, launched its virtual showcase of new Russian productions with some 400 international participants slated to take part, including buyers, commissioners and producers from 55 countries.
Exports of Russian films have been growing at a healthy 25% clip annually in recent years, according to Roskino, but a key question for many foreign buyers is how to market and sell those films in other territories. It was the subject of a panel discussion on Monday featuring Angel Lopez Armendariz, head of foreign production selection at Mediaset Spain; Juliana da Cunha Jacobsen, head of acquisitions and operations at Bf Distribution; and Jordan Fields, VP of acquisitions at Shout! Factory. The session was moderated by Katerina Pshenitsyna, VP of international distribution at Central Partnership.
In many markets, commercial Russian films are a relatively new phenomenon. “What we noticed about five years ago...
Exports of Russian films have been growing at a healthy 25% clip annually in recent years, according to Roskino, but a key question for many foreign buyers is how to market and sell those films in other territories. It was the subject of a panel discussion on Monday featuring Angel Lopez Armendariz, head of foreign production selection at Mediaset Spain; Juliana da Cunha Jacobsen, head of acquisitions and operations at Bf Distribution; and Jordan Fields, VP of acquisitions at Shout! Factory. The session was moderated by Katerina Pshenitsyna, VP of international distribution at Central Partnership.
In many markets, commercial Russian films are a relatively new phenomenon. “What we noticed about five years ago...
- 6/9/2020
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Vadim Vereshchagin, CEO of leading Russian production and distribution company Central Partnership, says it’s time for the world to give a second look to Russian cinema—particularly the slick commercial titles that are racking up boffo box office back home.
“The key thing for us right now is to explain to the foreign buyers primarily, ‘Look, we’ve got great films. We’re not asking the same amount of money as Hollywood independent studios would. But you get the same [quality],’” he says.
Central Partnership began in the 1990s as a television production outfit, before branching out into distribution of mostly arthouse fare. In the early 2000s, it began moving toward mainstream titles, and since 2009 has been the exclusive distributor for Paramount Pictures in Russia. Its library includes films from top U.S. and European studios, as well as an extensive catalog of arthouse and commercial Russian movies.
The company’s current slate,...
“The key thing for us right now is to explain to the foreign buyers primarily, ‘Look, we’ve got great films. We’re not asking the same amount of money as Hollywood independent studios would. But you get the same [quality],’” he says.
Central Partnership began in the 1990s as a television production outfit, before branching out into distribution of mostly arthouse fare. In the early 2000s, it began moving toward mainstream titles, and since 2009 has been the exclusive distributor for Paramount Pictures in Russia. Its library includes films from top U.S. and European studios, as well as an extensive catalog of arthouse and commercial Russian movies.
The company’s current slate,...
- 6/7/2020
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Sky Cinema grabs a lot of the bigger blockbusters, but often promotes smaller movies that have gained a nice little following, so we’re keeping track of all the new films that are hitting the service in the coming month.
In April, you’ll get new premieres like Spider-Man: Far From Home and Detective Pikachu. As always, quite a few of the films in the lineup will also be available via Now TV, but here’s an official look at what’s coming to Sky Cinema over the next few weeks…
Premieres
Four Kids And It – April 3rd
Jacqueline Wilson’s spin-off novel gets the Sky Original treatment, as four kids hope their dreams are about to come true on a new search for the magical creature.
Vita And Virginia – April 5th
A touching drama based on the real-life love story between Virginia Woolf (Elizabeth Debicki) and Vita Sackville-West (Gemma Arterton...
In April, you’ll get new premieres like Spider-Man: Far From Home and Detective Pikachu. As always, quite a few of the films in the lineup will also be available via Now TV, but here’s an official look at what’s coming to Sky Cinema over the next few weeks…
Premieres
Four Kids And It – April 3rd
Jacqueline Wilson’s spin-off novel gets the Sky Original treatment, as four kids hope their dreams are about to come true on a new search for the magical creature.
Vita And Virginia – April 5th
A touching drama based on the real-life love story between Virginia Woolf (Elizabeth Debicki) and Vita Sackville-West (Gemma Arterton...
- 3/25/2020
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
To celebrate the release of Iron Fury – available on Digital & DVD 27th January – we are giving away a DVD!
The thrilling, thundering box office sensation from Russia sees prisoners of war plotting an audacious escape, and features some of the most astonishing tank battles ever seen on film. Iron Fury starts as it means to go on – with a bang, as two tanks duel in Russia during World War Two. Starring Alexander Petrov (recently seen in Luc Besson’s action thriller Anna), as a Russian tank commander stuck in a German Pow camp, the film is a visceral assault on the senses, featuring some of the most heart-stopping and authentic tank skirmishes ever seen on film.
A smash hit in Russia, the film broke box office records in that country when it opened earlier this year, blasting its way to the top of the charts, where it has raked in an astonishing $35million to date.
The thrilling, thundering box office sensation from Russia sees prisoners of war plotting an audacious escape, and features some of the most astonishing tank battles ever seen on film. Iron Fury starts as it means to go on – with a bang, as two tanks duel in Russia during World War Two. Starring Alexander Petrov (recently seen in Luc Besson’s action thriller Anna), as a Russian tank commander stuck in a German Pow camp, the film is a visceral assault on the senses, featuring some of the most heart-stopping and authentic tank skirmishes ever seen on film.
A smash hit in Russia, the film broke box office records in that country when it opened earlier this year, blasting its way to the top of the charts, where it has raked in an astonishing $35million to date.
- 1/20/2020
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Leading Russian producer Sergey Selyanov is producing both titles.
Budapest-based sales outfit Luminescence is launching world sales on two new animated projects at Afm, both being produced by leading Russian producer Sergey Selyanov (Mongol: The Rise Of Genghis Khan) through his production banner Ctb.
Fantasy adventure Upon Magic Roads, which Selyanov will produce with Alexander Gorokhov and Anton Zlatopolskiy, is directed by Oleg Pogodin (Spacewalk) and follows John the Fool and his friend Foal as they embark on a series of unpredictable adventures. Currently in post-production, it is due for release in autumn 2020.
“We are thrilled to present this brand-new fantasy adventure to international distributors,...
Budapest-based sales outfit Luminescence is launching world sales on two new animated projects at Afm, both being produced by leading Russian producer Sergey Selyanov (Mongol: The Rise Of Genghis Khan) through his production banner Ctb.
Fantasy adventure Upon Magic Roads, which Selyanov will produce with Alexander Gorokhov and Anton Zlatopolskiy, is directed by Oleg Pogodin (Spacewalk) and follows John the Fool and his friend Foal as they embark on a series of unpredictable adventures. Currently in post-production, it is due for release in autumn 2020.
“We are thrilled to present this brand-new fantasy adventure to international distributors,...
- 11/6/2019
- by 57¦Geoffrey Macnab¦41¦
- ScreenDaily
Chris Tucker, Adrien Brody and Paul Haggis were on hand Saturday to give a huge high-tech finale to the fifth edition of the Jackie Chan Action Film Week. So too were Crystal Liu Yifei, star of Disney’s upcoming “Mulan,” and a bevy of top Chinese talent.
Moving the event from the fringes of the Shanghai festival in June, to a new date and spectacular outdoor venues provided by provincial town of Datong, some 200 miles East of Beijing in Shanxi Province, may have revitalized the Action Film Week. Upbeat organizers now talk of franchising the event to other countries.
If the opening on July 21 was reportedly relatively quiet, the closing ceremony was a razzamatazz of stunts, choreography and pyrotechnics with ambitions of matching an Olympic Games or World Cup opening.
Held in a full-sized sports arena, with perhaps 20,000 spectators, the show opened with a troop of astronauts arriving from the skies,...
Moving the event from the fringes of the Shanghai festival in June, to a new date and spectacular outdoor venues provided by provincial town of Datong, some 200 miles East of Beijing in Shanxi Province, may have revitalized the Action Film Week. Upbeat organizers now talk of franchising the event to other countries.
If the opening on July 21 was reportedly relatively quiet, the closing ceremony was a razzamatazz of stunts, choreography and pyrotechnics with ambitions of matching an Olympic Games or World Cup opening.
Held in a full-sized sports arena, with perhaps 20,000 spectators, the show opened with a troop of astronauts arriving from the skies,...
- 7/30/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
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