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Matilda is already the most controversial Russian film of the year, and there are still six months before its cinema release in October. And the political and media rows surrounding it are only strengthening a burgeoning resistance to cultural conservatism.

The film is a historical drama looking at the affair between Russias last emperor, Nicholas II (Lars Eidinger) before he married Alexandra Fedorovna or was even crowned as tsar and a famous ballet dancer, Mathilde Kschessinska (Michalina Olszaska). Since Nicholas II has been canonised as a saint in the Russian Orthodox Church, religious activists claim that the portrayal of his affair and the erotic scenes in the film insult religious feelings, which is a criminal offence in Russian federal law.

Trailer for Matilda (in Russian)

'Experts' describe her as "in no way good-looking by classical European and Russian standards of beauty; resembling a mouse or a rat

Tsar Nicholas II

The row started after the first trailer for the film was published online last year when it was revealed that the central story of the film is not just the affair but the love triangle between Kschessinska, Nicholas and his rival Count Vorontsov (Danila Kozlovsky). Various priests from the Orthodox Church have called the film slanderous and the apotheosis of vulgarity. Leading the crusade against the film is Natalya Poklonskaya, the former Prosecutor General of Crimea and current MP in the State Duma, who has filed several applications to the Prosecutor Generals office with calls for an investigation into the film. An initial check of the film found no signs of blasphemy. Then, a group of religious activists tried to get the film banned from cinemas by sending anonymous letters to cinema chains claiming that cinemas will burn if they dare to show Matilda. The threats were condemned by just about everyone, including government officials from the presidents administration.

Another expert report commissioned by Poklonskaya concluded that the film insults religious feelings and falsifies historical facts. It specifies that the portrayal of Nicholas II is negative because in the film he chooses Kschessinska, who is disgusting and ugly in both physical and others senses; in no way good-looking from the point of view of classical European and Russian standards of beauty; resembling a mouse or a rat. The full text of the expertise, which is based on just two trailers and the script of the film, comprises 39 pages and was shared by news site Meduza. The Ministry of Culture promptly confirmed that the expertise commissioned by Poklonskaya will not be considered when the decision on the films cinema release will be made as the authors hadnt actually seen the film.

Still from Matilda. Image: Youtube

Lars Eidinger as Nicholas II in Matilda. Image: Youtube

Michalina Olszaska as Matilda Kschessinska in Matilda. Image: Youtube

Daniil Kozlovsky as Count Vorontsov in Matilda. Image: Youtube

Still from Matilda. Image: Youtube

Matildas director, Alexey Uchitel, has filed a complaint to the Prosecutors Office, claiming Poklonskaya is slandering the film, and to the ethics committee of the State Duma, suggesting that she might be overstepping her ethical code as an MP. News site Znak recently reported that Poklonskaya might have been banned from public speeches by her party United Russia for being too scandalous, after she failed to make several scheduled appearance; the party itself later claimed this was not true.

While the bureaucratic battle continues between Orthodox activists and Uchitel, its worth noting that the film itself is not typical fare for censorship. More traditional scapegoats are Leviathan-like indie art-house films about which claims of Russophobia are easy to digest. Matilda, though, is a Hollywood-esque blockbuster with a star-studded cast (including heartthrob Danila Kozlovksyand I, Olga Hepnarovand The Lurestar Michalina Olszaska). And Uchitel is a well-known pro-government figure: in 2014 he was among the signatories of the letter in support of the Russian governments position on the conflict in Ukraine and Crimea.

This row perfectly embodies recent fights over culture and censorship in Russia, where religious activists make frequent calls for exhibitions, theatre performances and films to be banned

This row perfectly embodies recent fights over culture and censorship in Russia, where religious activists make frequent calls for exhibitions, theatre performances and films to be banned. But unlike many other similar instances, the Matilda controversy edges further into surreal territory; the protests are so punitive and illogical that in response even the most conservative government circles turn progressive and officials release statements calling for censorship to be scaled back. It might be a case of the frog in boiling water phenomenon: while a lot of milder forms of censorship thrive in Russia, this time an inexperienced MP might have turned the heat up far too high. A conspiracy theory enthusiast could even hypothesise that this campaign was actually designed to make the rest of the Russian political elite look liberal and progressive by comparison. Others might suggest that were witnessing the most elaborate marketing campaign ever designed for a film, nearing the level of satirical performance art on the theme of state interference in culture.

MP Natalya Poklonskaya carries an icon with the image of Nicholas II, canonised by the Russian Orthodox Church, during a Victory Day parade in Moscow. Image: NTV.ru

Still from Matilda. Image: Youtube

Still from Matilda. Image: Youtube

Still from Matilda. Image: Youtube

Still from Matilda. Image: Youtube

But whatever the actual goals of the anti-Matilda cause, its now obvious that it has started the biggest truly public, mainstream discussion yet of censorship in Russia. Previous government targets were a bit too niche, like Novosibirsks Tannhauser operaor Andrey Zvyagintsevs Leviathan, which were significant cultural events but nowhere as huge as this grand costume epic with its love triangle and international cast. In the wake of the dispute, the Civic Chamber has prepared a law proposal that would protect cultural organisations from religious activists, and various unions and public figures have published open letters in support of the film. All of these consequences might seem logical but they are in fact very unusual for modern Russia, where the majority and the elites almost always side with the accuser in cases attempted censorship.

Another unexpected consequence of the row, of course, is that its most likely going to make the filmmakers a hefty sum, regardless of the quality of a film that is now destined to be a box office hit. Matilda has been enjoying the Streisand effecton a huge scale, getting media coverage for a year before its scheduled release, with every tiny story concerning the film like the new poster being unveiled now covered extensively. In the future, Russian filmmakers who like to draw attention to the fact that domestic films struggle to compete with Hollywood in terms of ticket sales might want to make sure that their films are noticed by Poklonskaya and other activists: a sure path to free publicity.

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Matilda: the historical blockbuster reigniting the censorship debate in Russia - The Calvert Journal

Four major television networks ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN have come under fire from the Trump camp for censorship after refusing to air a political ad over its reference to fake news.

Jamestown Associates, which produced the 30-second spot touting President Trumps record during his first 100 days in office, said Friday that the networks decision to reject the paid ad is unprecedented.

No matter your ideology, the notion of censorship should send a chill up your spine, said the Republican political consulting firm.

The First Amendment is first for a reason no right is more fundamental and inherently American than freedom of speech, said the Jamestown statement. Yet, CNN, CBS, ABC, and NBC decided you cannot see it on their airwaves. To our knowledge, this has never happened before.

Presidential daughter-in-law Lara Trump, a consultant for Donald J. Trump for President, which paid for the ad, denounced the move as an unprecedented act of censorship in America that should concern every freedom-loving citizen.

Apparently, the mainstream media are champions of the First Amendment only when it serves their own political views, said Ms. Trump, who is married to the presidents son Eric. Faced with an ad that doesnt fit their biased narrative, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC have now all chosen to block our ad.

At issue is a clip showing five prominent television news personalities overlaid with the words FAKE NEWS.

The voice-over says that America has rarely seen such success, but you wouldnt know it from watching the news.

Two networks NBC and CNN released statements saying that they would run the ad only if the phrase fake news were removed. CBS declined a request for comment.

Consistent with our policies, we have agreed to accept the ad if the inaccurate graphic which refers to journalists as fake news is corrected, said an NBCUniversal spokesperson.

In its statement, CNN said that the mainstream media is not fake news, and therefore the ad is false. Per our policy, it will be accepted only if that graphic is deleted. Those are the facts.

The ad ran afoul of ABCs guidelines prohibiting ads that include personal attacks and requiring political ads to be sourced and verified.

We rejected the ad because it did not meet our guidelines, said an ABC spokesperson. We have previously accepted Trump ads and are open to doing so in the future.

The five personalities shown in the ad MSNBCs Andrea Mitchell and Rachel Maddow, CNNs Wolf Blitzer, ABCs George Stephanopoulos and CBS Scott Pelley are among Mr. Trumps most visible critics in the media.

Fox News has aired the ad, said Jamestown creative director Len Khodorkovsky.

The $1.5 million television and digital ad campaign launched Monday.

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Networks accused of 'censorship' for refusing to air pro-Trump ad over 'fake news' jab - Washington Times

MENDHAM A borough man who is President Donald Trumps campaign director has accused CNN of censorship because the news company would not run a Trump ad accusing CNN of producing fake news.

The 30 second ad focused on Trumps accomplishments and superimposed the words fake news over several TV journalists, including Wolf Blitzer of CNN, and others from MSNBC, PBS, ABC and CBS. CNN said it would run the ad only if the fake news words were removed.

This is censorship pure and simple, the campaign director, Michael Glassner, said in a statement on May 2. By rejecting our ad, CNN has proven that it supports censorship, is biased and fears an opposing point of view. President Trumps loyal supporters know the truth: The mainstream media mislead, misguide, deceive, and distract. CNN epitomizes the meaning of fake news and has proven it by rejecting our paid campaign ad.

Glassner was not available for further comment. He is married to Borough Councilwoman Christine Glassner.

The donaldjtrump.com website reported on May 2 that mainstream media had refused to run an ad entitled First 100 Days. The ad highlights the Presidents first 100 days in office, exhibiting clear vision, resolute leadership and an uncompromising dedication to the American people, just as he promised throughout his campaign.

It is absolutely shameful to see the media blocking the positive message that President Trump is trying to share with the country. Its clear that CNN is trying to silence our voice and censor our free speech because it doesnt fit their narrative, said Glassner.

The website said CNN takes issue with the ads message calling out the mainstream media for peddling fake news and not reporting on the fact that President Trump is making America great again.

CNN said in a statement that it had requested the Trump campaign to remove the false graphic that says the mainstream media is fake news.

The mainstream media is not fake news, and therefore the ad is false. Per our policy, it will be accepted only if that graphic is deleted. Those are the facts, the CNN statement said.

The Trump campaign had accused the mainstream media of reporting fake news for not reporting on the fact that President Trump is making America great again.

A narrator in the ad claims that America has rarely seen such success, and listed several purported achievements from Trumps first 100 days in office.

You wouldnt know it from watching the news, the narrator says, before the words fake news are briefly superimposed on the reporters.

Glassner, 53, was first hired as Trumps deputy national campaign manager in August 2015. He is a former chief of staff and top advisor to Sarah Palins 2008 run for vice president when she ran with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., for president.

Glassner also was an adviser to former Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kans., during his presidential campaign.

The Washington Post reported in June 2016 that Glassner had a role in developing Trumps plan to bar Muslims from entering the U.S. He said a ban would have nothing to do with religion but a result of those who attacked the World Trade Center.

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Mendham man leading Trump re-election campaign, accuses CNN of 'censorship' - New Jersey Hills

Associates connected to President Donald Trump lashed back at CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC's refusal to broadcast his recent ad as an assault on free speech and "an unprecedented act of censorship," according to the U.K.'s Independent.

"Apparently, the mainstream media are champions of the First Amendment only when it serves their own political views," Lara Trump, wife of President Trump's son Eric, said in a Trump campaign press release.

"Faced with an ad that doesn't fit their biased narrative, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC have now all chosen to block our ad. This is an unprecedented act of censorship in America that should concern every freedom-loving citizen."

CNN claimed its refusal of the "false" ad was based on the "Fake News" graphic covering the faces of news anchors Andrea Mitchell of NBC, Scott Pelley of CBS, George Stephanopoulos of ABC, Wolf Blitzer of CNN, and Rachel Maddow of MSNBC. CNN said it would air the ad if the "Fake News" graphic was removed.

ABC echoed CNN's position, according to the report.

"We rejected the ad because it did not meet our guidelines," an ABC spokesperson told the Independent. "We have previously accepted Trump ads and are open to doing so in the future."

The Trump campaign reportedly spent $1.5 million to air the ad.

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Trump Team Decries Censorship, Media Refuses 'Fake News' Ad - Newsmax

New York Times

Ai Weiwei: How Censorship Works New York Times At first glance, the censorship seems invisible, but its omnipresent washing of people's feelings and perceptions creates limits on the information people receive, select and rely upon. The content offered by the Chinese state media, after its ...

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Ai Weiwei: How Censorship Works - New York Times