Eight Moscow theaters have refused to show a documentary film about North Korea, Under the Sun. The film's director, Vitaly Mansky, told the Meduza website that there are only 20 theaters in Moscow which will show his film, set to premier on Oct. 27.
There is no doubt that "the Russian government is reacting to the demands of the North Korean government," Mansky said.
Under the Sun was filmed in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, and tells the story of an eight-year-old girl who must join the Children's Union on the state holiday called Day of the Sun. The film's script was written by the North Korean side.
Although the film was subject to government censorship, cameraman Alexandra Ivanova used two memory cards during filming, which allowed him to save the footage the North Korean censors cut.