Documentary filmmaker Vitaly Mansky during interview Ksenia Sobchak in May, he spoke about the distribution of the budget among Russian film festivals and said that the budget of the Moscow International Film Festival, which is directed by director Nikita Mikhalkov, is “cut” by 85%. Three months later, it became known that the author of “Burnt by the Sun” wrote a statement to the president of “Artdocfest”. Now the case of Part 2 of Art. 128.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (libel contained in a public speech, publicly demonstrated work, mass media or committed publicly using information and telecommunication networks).
“No less than 85% of the budget is stolen at the Moscow International Film Festival. Not less. I, as a festival manager, can accurately calculate how much this festival costs. He costs, at best, 15% of the amounts that he receives directly from the state, ”Mansky told the Youtube channel“ Caution: Sobchak ”.
Ksenia Sobchak herself was brought to the criminal case as a witness.
“But today I was summoned by a summons to the Office for the organization of inquiry of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. And while you happily rub your hands, I will break your hopes (as always). I am a witness in the libel case, which Mikhalkov saw in the words of Mansky in our interview. Mansky said Mikhalkov was offended, came to the police, wrote a statement, a criminal case was opened there, they asked me to testify, ”Sobchak wrote in her Telegram channel.
AiF.Ru, 09/06/2022, “What kind of lawsuit did Nikita Mikhalkov file against director Vitaly Mansky?”: According to Sobchak, in the event of a loss in court, Mansky may be held liable under part 2 of article 128.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation “Slander”. This part considers “libel contained in a public speech, publicly displayed work, mass media or committed publicly using information and telecommunication networks, including the Internet”.
Possible penalties include a fine of up to one million rubles, compulsory work for up to two hundred and forty hours, as well as arrest for up to two months or even imprisonment for up to two years. There are no other details about this claim yet. The press service of Nikita Mikhalkov declined to comment on this topic. — Inset K.ru
IA “RBC”, 09/06/2022, “Sobchak was called to the police after an interview with Mansky about Mikhalkov”: MIFF is an annual film festival, one of the oldest in the world (since 1935). Since 1999, Mikhalkov has been the president of the festival. The MIFF is financed by the Ministry of Culture and sponsors. […]
Vitaly Mansky is a documentary filmmaker, author of more than 30 films, president of the Artdocfest international festival. He was born in Lvov, lived in Moscow, and in 2014 moved from Russia to Latvia. — Inset K.ru