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

Intelligence summary

After years of illegal screenings, Russians may soon lose access to major foreign films in their cinemas. 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. "Essentially, people buy tickets for a domestic film, but are shown an American blockbuster, technically f