The historian called the planned screening of the film "Red Silk" in China a symbolic sign.

The upcoming screening of the Russian-Chinese film "Red Silk" in China on the anniversary of the country's victory over militaristic Japan is a deeply symbolic sign. Alexander Makushin, a historian and expert of the Russian Military Historical Society, shared this opinion with Izvestia on May 7.

"The fact that this film has received a distribution certificate in China, and the film distribution industry in China is under strict state control, shows that the process [of cooperation between Russia and China] is mutual. And that not only are we interested in China, but China, which has millions of people, is also interested in Russia," he explained.

Makushkin added that the two countries have many topics for joint creative projects: the help of the Chinese during the Great Patriotic War (WWII), as well as their participation in the revolutionary events in Russia.

"Both our peoples have been subjected to aggression, both our peoples are still being subjected to aggressive actions by what we call the "collective West." Our countries have come a very long historical way, have built a system of relations," the historian noted.

The expert stressed that Chinese citizens are treated with respect in Russian projects.

"We have no hostility in this regard, we do not seek to humiliate anyone, we do not have a caricature look," concluded Makushkin.

Word of mouth: people go to the "Red Silk" out of love for the Motherland

The Russian-Chinese film beat the sports drama "Rodnina" at the box office and remains in the top three.

Earlier that day, "Red Silk" became the first modern Russian painting to receive the "dragon Seal" for unlimited distribution in China. At the same time, Sinologist Sergey Mstislavsky noted that there is a lot of interest in the historical period in the film in China, which ensures high box office receipts.

On April 14, Russian Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova announced that "Red Silk" had become the most successful detective story at the Russian box office — the picture had collected almost 700 million rubles. According to the minister, the sequel to the successful film "Black Silk" is already being prepared.