Moscow - Russia blamed bureaucracy rather
than censorship for a decision to halt the release of a
Hollywood movie that tells the fictional story of U.S. troops
rescuing a Russian president from a Kremlin coup.
The thriller "Hunter Killer" was due to hit screens in
Russia on Nov. 1, but the release was pulled, prompting
allegations from Kremlin critics that it was censored because
its plot undermines President Vladimir Putin's strongman image.
Last year, Russia banned screenings of the dark comedy "The
Death of Stalin" after officials said its portrayal of Kremlin
infighting in the wake of the death of the Soviet leader was
disrespectful towards victims of Stalin's purges.
The Culture Ministry was quoted by Russian media as saying
"Hunter Killer" had not received authorisation because a
satisfactory copy of the film had not been submitted to Russia's
state film archive in time. The ministry's press office did not
answer calls on Friday seeking comment.
The film, starring Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman, features a
plot in which Russia's president is taken hostage by his own
defence minister.