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Russian Film Companies - Focus on Mosfilm Studio

The biggest obstacle in the Russian film industry is money. In the Soviet era, film producers just needed to incorporate the correct amount of politically correct scenes into the films, and the parties would fund any amount. Today, the industry suffers under financial constraints. Even though the budget for a Russian film is substantially lower than the Hollywood price tags, the lack of Russian Film Companies adds to the pressure. Most projects are sponsored by French or German companies, and even if a small Russian Film Company (many established just for one film) does approve a script, the film still needs financial backing from a financial institution. One Russian Film Company that has survived that easier and the harder times, is the famous Mosfilm Studio.

Mosfilm was the very first Russian Film Company, built by mogul Aleksandr Khanzhonkov in 1923. The first film that was produced by Mosfilm was directed by Boris Mikhin, and called “On the Wings Skyward”. A new studio complex was constructed in 1927, and was situated on Mosfilmovskaya Street in the Moscow suburb of Sparrow Hills. The studio was renamed Moskinokombinat in 1934, and again renamed in 1936 to Mosfilm.

The Mosfilm Studio was evacuated during the World War II and returned to Moscow from Alma-Ata in 1941. During the evacuation period Mosfilm merged with another Russian Film Company named Central United Film Studio. Mosfilm had produced over 3 000 films by the fall of the Soviet Union, and many of the classics that were shot at Mosfilm from the start of its existence were recognized and awarded at international film festivals.

Today, Mosfilm continues its operations, but as a private production company. Mosfilm is directed by film director Karen Shakhanazarov. Ten small independent Russian film companies have moved into the Mosfilm pavilions, and occupy approximately 13 000 square meters of area. Touring the “Russian Hollywood” has become increasingly popular with local and international visitors, and they can view the 170 tanks and 50 vintage cars that are within the massive Mosfilm Depot. Mosfilm also leases out their main pavilion to the Golden Eagle Awards annually.

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