French filmmaker Luc Besson and Oscar-winning Hollywood legend Oliver Stone were the marquee names at Moscow’s “Culture. Media. Digital” forum, a two-day spectacle that brought together creative heavyweights from around the world. With over 70 media moguls, filmmakers, and gaming innovators from 16 countries in attendance, the event highlighted how art and technology can bridge divides in an increasingly polarised world.
The forum, held amid frosty relations between Russia and the West, saw both Besson and Stone participating remotely. Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica joined them to debate the soul of modern cinema, with Kusturica arguing that, “Cinema’s worth isn’t in dollars but in the ideas it conveys.” Stone, known for his provocative takes, replied, “We must honour the past but embrace the future.”
[Oliver Stone and Emir Kusturica debate about the role of cinema]
“At a time when the world feels increasingly divided, cinema offers a space where borders, politics, and religion dissolve,” Luc Besson said in his video address. He described art as “a pure connection” that transcends barriers, urging creators to embrace their role as cultural bridge-builders.
The forum also shone a spotlight on the dramatic shifts in Russia’s entertainment landscape. Hollywood’s dominance in the Russian box office—once commanding up to 80% of ticket sales—has dwindled as U.S. films increasingly disappear from the country’s theaters. Stepping into the void is Indian cinema.
Russian audiences, it seems, are embracing Bollywood like never before. From a modest three Indian films in 2021, projections suggest that over 40 will appear in Russian cinemas by the end of 2024. Experts estimate that Indian productions could soon account for as much as 20% of all films shown in Russian theaters—a remarkable shift in a market once dominated by Hollywood. The surge follows discussions at the BRICS Summit in October, where Russia’s Vladimir Putin and India’s Narendra Modi prioritised cultural collaboration.
Moscow is leveraging its creative industries as a cornerstone of its economy. The sector has grown by 35% over the past two years, generating an impressive 392.3 billion rubles (EUR 3.7 billion) in tax revenue in 2023 alone, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
Vice Mayor Natalia Sergunina outlined ambitious plans to bolster Moscow’s role as a global creative hub. The city’s Moskino film cluster, a newly built sprawling facility capable of hosting over 20 productions simultaneously, is already attracting international projects. Indian director Venkat Prabhu’s “Greatest of All Time” was the cluster’s first foreign film, signaling Moscow’s growing appeal to global filmmakers.
“We aim to make Moscow the creative center for the BRICS countries, and beyond,” Sergunina added. Filmmakers from the UAE, China, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia are now considering Moscow as a key destination for upcoming projects, according to her.
Beyond art and storytelling, the forum also delved into the business of media, with participants exploring how to innovate and monetise in a fast-changing digital landscape.
