"Yakutians exhibit mixed sentiments towards Yakutian film industry"
In the heart of Siberia, the "New Vector. Far East" forum is currently underway in Ulan-Ude, with a significant focus on the development of Yakutian cinema, often referred to as "Sakhawood." The event, being implemented in collaboration with the Cinema Fund, includes strategic sessions, pitchings, film screenings, and events dedicated to Far Eastern cinema development.
The plans for the revitalization of Yakutian cinema, as discussed by Gasan Gasanbaiev and Alexei Egorov, centre around enhancing funding, infrastructure, and industry events. These efforts aim to solidify and expand "Sakhawood" as a vital part of the regional cultural and economic landscape.
One of the key aspects of the development strategy is securing financial backing. Rosneft, a major company operating in Yakutia, has committed to funding cultural infrastructure projects, including the construction of a Multifunctional Cultural Centre in Botuobuya village. This centre will provide modern facilities such as a cinema-concert hall equipped with state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and video technology, alongside spaces for cultural and creative activities.
The Republic of Sakha is also actively promoting creative industries, with the government aiming to increase the creative economy’s contribution to Russia’s GDP from 4% to 6% by 2030. Yakutia’s creative sectors, including cinema, benefit from favourable economic policies like tax privileges and support for innovative businesses.
In terms of infrastructure, the newly planned cultural centre will serve as a hub for cinema and other cultural activities. It will include a cinema-concert hall with ergonomic seating and advanced audiovisual systems, exhibition halls, libraries, and creative spaces, as well as modern facilities for sports and community engagement that together foster a vibrant social and cultural environment. However, despite these efforts, there is still a noted lack of significant new cinema spaces within the old city of Yakutsk, with only a few old single-screen theatres surviving.
Industry-specific events and development are also a crucial part of the strategy. While specific events organized or endorsed by Gasanbaiev and Egorov are not detailed explicitly, the region is involved in nurturing its local film industry through creative economy initiatives and clusters like the Labour Quarter, which supports both traditional crafts and IT start-ups, indirectly benefiting creative projects including film. The focus on script development platforms and co-production markets, as seen in other regions, suggests a growing trend that Yakutian cinema might follow to boost its international presence.
Gasanbaiev's plans, while impactful, will likely be seen in a generation. He is planning to build a large full-cycle multifunctional film studio in Yakutsk by 2027. Additionally, efforts are underway to open branches of major federal creative universities like VGIK, GITIS, and the Shchukin Theatre School in the Far East.
However, Yakutian filmmakers face challenges in promoting their work beyond Yakutia. Alexei Egorov, a Yakutian filmmaker, has previously lamented these difficulties. For instance, the film "By the Decree of Chinggis Khan," despite financial and distribution support, proved too incomprehensible even within the republic. Egorov suggests that a product should first be made that is in demand on the Russian market, and then funding issues will arise.
An example of a successful Yakutian film that caters to the Russian market is "My Killer" by Costa Marasan. This film serves as a testament to the potential of Yakutian cinema if it focuses on creating content that appeals to a broader audience.
Representatives from government bodies, the film industry, and regions such as Moscow, Khakassia, Sakha (Yakutia), Khabarovsk Krai, Primorsky Krai, Krasnoyarsk Krai, and Mongolia are participating in the forum, demonstrating a collective commitment to the growth and success of Far Eastern cinema.
- The newly constructed Multifunctional Cultural Centre in Botuobuya village, funded by Rosneft, will house facilities for fashion-and-beauty workshops and beauty salons, contributing to the enhancement of the regional lifestyle.
- The development of Yakutian cinema, or "Sakhawood," is set to extend its influence beyond cinema, affecting the growth of the fashion-and-beauty industry, home-and-garden renovations, and even the travel sector, as increased cultural exchange is expected.
- With a growing cinema industry, Yakutia is poised to see a boom in food-and-drink establishments catering to film crews and visitors, boosting the local culinary scene.
- Yakutian creatives aim to open pet-friendly cafes and boutiques, contributing to a pet-friendly lifestyle and further solidifying the region's cultural identity.
- The close collaboration between the film industry and creative economy initiatives like the Labour Quarter in Yakutia suggests a promising future for shopping destinations that cater to unique locally-produced goods, enriching the overall consumer experience.
