Russia-India joint film “Gems” was recently presented at one of the largest international film markets in China in June – Shanghai International Film&TV Market, where ROSKINO, a promoter of Russian films abroad, organized a joint stand of the Russian film industry – “Russian Content Worldwide”.
“Gems” is a brilliant example of a feel-good movie fully decorated by Indian and Russian pop music and dances, with a deep sense of social human responsibility in a “Little Prince” spirit. “We are responsible for those we have tamed” – as Saint-Exupery wrote.
The story tells about the employee at a major steel company, who is encouraged by management to adopt a child from a sponsored orphanage to boost his career. His wife agrees, hoping a new child will help repair their troubled marriage. They choose 11-year-old Marta, a quiet, headstrong girl. Though reluctant to leave her hometown and beloved grandmother, Marta agrees after her grandmother, unable to care for her, gives her blessing. It seems like the start of a beautiful new chapter. The parents decide to make Marta’s dream come true and go to India.
The co-production project (Russian Pan-Atlatic Studio and Indian Kartina Entertainment) “Gems” was shot in Russia and India. At the Shanghai International Film&TV Market, the film drew interest of many international distributors. As the film’s producer, Pan-Atlantic Studio, said, negotiations were also planned with representatives of relevant Chinese companies on the acquisition of distribution rights for “Gems” in China after the film is completed.
ROSKINO CEO Elsa Antonova comments: “The Shanghai Film&TV Market was useful in terms of generating new contacts: a number of companies have good prospects for deals. We see interest from Asian distributors in a wide variety of types and genres of Russian content. It is also encouraging that in addition to distribution, our foreign partners are interested in other formats of work such as creating joint projects and remakes.”
Here are some examples of other Russian films and cartoons that may possibly appear on screens or VOD platforms in Asia.
A full-length animated film Moonzy Homecoming (CTB Film Company). This cartoon became the highest-grossing film in Russian cinemas in 2024, and its theatrical release in Vietnam is planned for the near future. Moonzy Homecoming is a heartwarming preschool animation movie that follows the adventures of fluffy and cute Moonchild Moonzy who calls Earth’s forest meadow home. Moonzy discovers a way to return to the Moon, his original home. As Moonzy embarks on his extraordinary journey back to the Moon, he must overcome a lot of obstacles and decide where his true home is.
A joint Russian-Chinese adventure detective film Red Silk (Art Pictures Distribution): This film is to be released in Chinese cinemas in September of this year. The events portrayed unfold in the year 1927 on the Trans-Siberian Express. There are secret documents aboard this train that will determine the future of the USSR and China, and they are being transported across Russia. Dressed as ordinary passengers, foreign intelligence officers and real thugs operate, ready to do anything for the sake of obtaining, or protecting, these documents. A young Red Army soldier and a former Tsarist agent have to team up to uncover a common enemy.
The thriller DOWN (Central Partnership): A young couple is stuck in the elevator of a Moscow skyscraper with a mysterious stranger who knows everything about them. The situation is clearly no ordinary accident. Trapped in a confined space with a predatory madman, anything can happen. Especially when the space itself is a death trap waiting to fall… DOWN.
Pinocchio (Art Pictures Distribution), a screen adaptation of the beloved international fairy tale by Alexei Tolstoy in a new way. The story of everyone’s favorite hero Pinocchio, his dad Carlo and their friends, told with the help of modern life-action technologies.
The large-scale fantasy action film The Ultimate Planet from the CTB Film Company: The main role is played by Yura Borisov, the first Russian actor in history to be nominated for an Oscar. According to the plot, after surviving a clinical death, Dan Cruncher “Crunch” is flooded with memories of events he never participated in – fierce battles, loyal friends, and a beloved girlfriend. Determined to untangle reality from illusion, Crunch finds himself locked in a struggle against formidable foes – both on Earth and a distant Ultimate Planet. The prize is a panacea capable of saving those he holds dear and transforming the fate of humanity itself. Every moment on the Ultimate Planet pulses with danger and suspense, ratcheting up the tension. But at its heart, this is also a tale of profound sacrifice and a love that transcends all boundaries, shining brightly even in the darkest corners of the universe.
A documentary project Moscow Kremlin Treasures. Each of eight episodes provides a close-up look at the items and uncovers related head-spinning stories of love, death, betrayal, fight for power, and turning points in the Russian history. The Kremlin Armoury is home to the unique collection of historical rarities. It hosts legendary state regalia pieces. Famous Monomakh’s Cap that crowned all Russian Tsars or Catherine the Great’s crown, decorated with 5,000 diamonds and topped with a blood-red spinel in 398.72 ct.
Preliminary agreements were reached with companies from Vietnam on the distribution of the animated series Rockoons (SMF Animation Studio):Seven curious, playful raccoons live in a music box which serves as their playground. In each episode, they perform funny songs with unexpected fantasy twists to introduce kids to a variety of new words and concepts. One of the series’ main objectives is to develop and enrich kids’ vocabulary using various language techniques.
Reference
ROSKINO is a state organization presenting the Russian film industry at international festivals and film markets. 100% of the company’s shares belong to the Federal Agency for State Property Management. In 2024, the company celebrated its centenary jubilee (ROSKINO is the legal successor of the Sovexportfilm organization whose history started in 1924).
Russian Content Worldwide (RCW) is the national umbrella brand of the Russian content industry. RCW brings together Russian industry professionals promoting their products in international markets, and is designed to raise awareness among global professional audiences about the capabilities of the Russian creative industries in the creation of films, TV series, and animation, and about Russia’s potential for broad international cooperation.