{"id":142311,"date":"2025-06-11T19:30:11","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T16:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/142311\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T13:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T13:35:32","slug":"lukasenka-scolds-film-industry-over-poor-returns-and-demands-ideological-loyalty","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/142311\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0141uka\u0161enka scolds film industry over poor returns and demands ideological loyalty"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka, in his characteristic style, delivered a public dressing down to executives of the state-run film production company Bie\u0142aru\u015bfilm<\/em> on June 10, demanding a return on investment in the struggling film industry.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n (Alaksandar Kule\u016dski\/sb.by)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo far, the return is not just zero\u2014it\u2019s below zero,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A major issue plaguing the industry is a lack of creativity, stifled by ideological oversight and government interference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fixated on discipline<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Belarusian film sector faces a host of structural problems: an inflexible command economy, chronic underinvestment, lack of advertising and a small, underdeveloped distribution network. Yet \u0141uka\u0161enka appears convinced that poor discipline is the core problem\u2014and that stern words will suffice to fix it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRemember, you will not get extra cash. No one will give you money for a new team,\u201d he told Bie\u0142aru\u015bfilm<\/em> CEO D\u017amitryj Siamiona\u016d, appointed on March 27. \u201cIf, led by the culture minister, you don\u2019t put things in order here before September 1, you will face the toughest decisions. Don\u2019t even hope we\u2019ll just dismiss you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wary of creative freedom, \u0141uka\u0161enka emphasized ideological conformity: \u201cYou have 320 people\u2014you can produce whatever you want… this is your business. Most importantly, you must ensure ideologically correct [deliverables].\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He even implied he would prefer to step away from the film sector, citing international tensions. \u201cNavigating these tensions takes a colossal effort from the president. So, relieve me from making movies,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ideology of loyalty<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During the meeting with Bie\u0142aru\u015bfilm<\/em> officials, \u0141uka\u0161enka quoted Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin: \u201cOf all the arts, cinema is the most important for us.\u201d He stressed that \u201cno ideology is possible without movies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, unlike the Bolsheviks, whose ideology mobilized the masses, \u0141uka\u0161enka lacks a coherent vision beyond professing loyalty to the Kremlin and demanding the same from his subjects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, he has constructed a wide-reaching system of ideology officers who ensure compliance with state propaganda. Under their supervision, Bie\u0142aru\u015bfilm<\/em> produced \u041d\u0430 \u0434\u0440\u0443\u0433\u043e\u043c \u0431\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0433\u0443<\/em> (On the Other Bank<\/em>) in 2023\u2014an anti-Polish pseudohistorical film reflecting the regime\u2019s hostility toward Warsaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The director, scriptwriter and nearly all lead actors were Russians. Belarusian participation included Culture Minister Rus\u0142an \u010carniecki, who played the role of a malevolent Polish investigator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the visit to Bie\u0142aru\u015bfilm<\/em>, \u0141uka\u0161enka warned \u010carniecki: \u201cYou have no chance of working as before. The culture ministry must be on its toes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u010carniecki responded with an enthusiastic proposal: \u201cFirst of all, the artistic level of films must be fundamentally raised and reach international distribution to break even. Yes, we will need help\u2014but not financial assistance, since the government provides sufficient funds. As you said, we need administrative support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Administrative pressure can be used to compel students and public-sector employees to attend propaganda screenings, but it won\u2019t secure awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purges hit movie industry<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The film industry has also suffered from political repression following the 2020 postelection protests. Dozens of talented actors, directors, and scriptwriters have fled the country. According to Belarusian PEN, nearly two hundred cultural figures were imprisoned in December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those exiled are Nobel laureate \u015aviat\u0142ana Aleksijevi\u010d and acclaimed scriptwriter Andrej Kurej\u010dyk, now teaching at Yale University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government\u2019s crackdown on the Janka Kupa\u0142a National Theater forced many prominent actors into exile. \u010carniecki, however, supported \u0141uka\u0161enka in 2020 and was rewarded with promotion to culture minister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the loss of talent on June 10, \u010carniecki promised: \u201cWe will bring them back. We’re already working on it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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