Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Art productions should not offend the feelings of believers, the majority of Russians think. This is not the case of ‘Matilda’: only 17% of respondents would ban its exhibition. 

MOSCOW, October 25, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study devoted to the Russian awareness of the ‘Matilda’ film and actions of Natalia Poklonskaya, a State Duma deputy.

The ‘Matilda’ film directed by A. Uchitel became popular in Russia long before its release: 58% of Russians were aware of the film during the survey. Thirty-three percent told about their plans to see this film; those who were interested were mainly older respondents (42% among those aged 60 and over), residents of Moscow and St Petersburg (39%) and million cities (42%). More than one-third (37%) who want to see this film say that they get attracted by its scandalous image. Less important reasons are respondents’ interest in films in general (26%) and genre of historical movies (14%).

The position of State Duma deputy Natalia Poklonskaya (to ban the film exhibition as it offends the feelings of believers) is not supported by the public:  only 17% support her; 48% oppose; a further 35% fail to give an answer. But a proposal to take away her mandate is regarded to be excessive (22% support it; 48% oppose it; 30% fail to answer). Every second respondent (53%) considers that the government should find and punish the radical activists who committed illegal acts against the filmmakers.

Most of Russians (56% in 2017) still share the stance that art productions must not offend the feelings of believers. Obviously, the ‘Matilda’ film is no associated with that in the public consciousness.

The Medialogia Company carried out an analysis of the mentions of Natalia Poklonskaya and the ‘Matilda’ film in the Russian mass media since January 1, 2017. N. Poklonskaya was manly mentioned in the context of the film discussions (44,600 of mentions out of 67,900). The mentions’ high was in September (18,400 mentions). The media told about N. Poklonskaya’s response to criticism from Vladimir Medinsky, Russian minister of culture, who was indignant about the situation. Cinema chains reported pressure related to the public exhibition. Natalia Poklonskaya said that it was deputy’s demand to detain Aleksandr Kalinin, the head of the ‘Christian State’.

The VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide survey was conducted on October 18-19, 2017. The survey involved 1,200 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted for the probability of selection and reflect social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 3.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

The 2015 data are based on household surveys.

The Russian media publications were monitored and analyzed by the Medialogia Company using the company’s media database involving about 42,500 sources such as television, radio, newspapers, news agencies, and online media. Period of study: January - October 2017.

 

Have you heard of the Russian film ‘Matilda’? If not, are you going to see it?  (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

Aged 25-34

Aged 35-44

Aged 45-59

Aged 60 and over

I heard of it: I am going to see it

33

28

24

35

32

42

I heard of ‘Matilda’; I am not going to see it

25

22

24

21

29

27

I have not heard of it

39

49

51

42

36

27

Don’t know

3

1

1

2

3

4 

Have you heard of the Russian film ‘Matilda’? If not, are you going to see it?  (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents

Moscow and St. Petersburg

Million cities

More than 500 ths

100–500 ths

Less than 100 ths

Rural area

I heard of it: I am going to see it

33

39

42

32

34

32

28

I heard of ‘Matilda’; I am not going to see it

25

35

23

34

28

21

21

I have not heard of it

39

26

28

33

35

46

49

Don’t know

3

0

7

1

3

1

2 

Why are you going to see ‘Matilda’?

  (open-ended question, not more than three answers, % of those who are going to see the film)

 

Total respondents

It is interesting what this “buzz” is  really all about

37

It is interesting to see a new movie

26

I like historical movies

14

I life the advertising, the teaser

11

I know  good reviews

7

I am interested to know more about the history of my country

4

To make comparison between the director’s idea and the real historical facts

2

I am interested in the story itself presented in this film

2

I like the director of the film

2

Good actors

2

I want to support a national film

1

Other

2

Don’t know

6

Why are you NOT going to see ‘Matilda’? (open-ended question, not more than three answers, % of those who are NOT going to see the movie)

 

Total respondents

I am not interested in it

34

I don’t like the genre

9

I do not go to the cinema

9

No time 

8

I know some negative reviews

8

Too scandalous

8

A distortion of history is what I don’t really like

7

I don’t like the fact that this movie defames Nicholas II  

6

No time to go

5

I don’t like Russian cinema

4

I agree with Poklonskaya

2

I am a believer

2

I am not interested in this epoch

2

I am not aware much what it is about

1

Other

1

Don’t know

10

According to Natalia Poklonskaya, a State Duma deputy, ‘Matilda’ defames Nicholas II and insults the feelings of believers. Poklonskaya demands to ban this film. Do you approve/disapprove of Poklonskaya’s ban on the film?

(closed-ended question, one answer,  %)

 

Total respondents

Moscow and St. Petersburg

Million cities

More than 500 ths

100–500 ths

Less than 100 ths

Rural area

Approve

17

11

14

14

17

16

21

Disapprove

48

65

52

48

46

45

43

Don’t know

35

24

34

38

37

39

36

Some people think that the activities of Poklonskaya related to ‘Matilda’ are excessive and contradict her parliamentary duties and the United Russia party membership. They say Poklonskaya should abandon her deputy’s seat. What is your attitude toward this initiative?  (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

Aged 25-34

Aged 35-44

Aged 45-59

Aged 60 and over

Completely support

9

9

10

12

8

8

Likely  to support

13

18

13

8

15

10

Likely to oppose

30

33

33

29

29

29

Completely oppose

18

8

14

16

18

26

Don’t know

30

32

30

35

30

27

Radical Orthodox activists have protested against the film and committed illegal actions against against the filmmakers (arsons). What measures should be taken by the government to solve this conflict?

(closed-ended question, not more than two answers, %)

 

Total respondents

To find and punish the guilty involved in arsons and hooliganism

53

To ban the film exhibition

15

To help the parties involved in the conflict to come to a compromise

1

To show the film on TV

0

Other

5

To do nothing

13

Don’t know

18

Some people say that creative people (filmmakers, artists, and singers) should have their freedom of creation and self-expression, and no restrictions are allowed. Others oppose saying that art productions should not insult the feelings of believers. What statement is closer to yours?  (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

2015

2017

Creative people should have their freedom of creation and self-expression; no restrictions are allowed

28

33

Art production should not insult the feelings of believers

67

56

Don’t know

5

11


Note:
Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory! The use of the Medialogia system content, fully or partially, must be accompanied by the reference to the Medialogia Company.

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