Satellite Technology to Revive Russian Cinema.

(From The Moscow Times)

Everybody is used to watching satellite television at home and in their offices, but a new Russian company wants to beam feature-length films straight to a theater near you.

Narodny Ekran, or The People's Screen, wants to use satellites to make it possible for people in even the most remote and underdeveloped locations around Russia, and possibly other former Soviet countries, to watch the newest Russian and Western movies in their local theater.

The idea belongs to filmmaker Alexander Proshkin, who laments the fall of the Soviet movie industry. He feels a nationwide project is the only thing that can breathe life back into studios and filmgoers across the country.

"A whole generation of people have grown up not knowing what it is to go to the movies," Proshkin said, "because the movie theaters in their towns are either defunct or tickets to modern theaters cost 300 rubles ($10)."

The Russian Union of Cinematographers and the Communications Ministry have taken up Proshkin's cause and come together to form Narodny Ekran, which will lease out the $50,000 worth of the equipment needed to use the technology to refurbished theaters around the country.

The technology includes a digital projector, a satellite reception unit and a modern Dolby surround sound system. Proshkin said at least 50 percent of the films shown by Narodny Ekran will be Russian.