MOSCOW, December 19 /TASS/. Russian and Chinese filmmakers will step up cooperation under a new Russian-Chinese inter-governmental agreement, which was published on an official legal information portal on Monday.

"The Russian Ministry of Culture along with the Russian Foreign Ministry should hold negotiations with the Chinese side on reaching an agreement and sign it on behalf of the Russian government once it is sealed," the government said in its statement.

Under the draft agreement, Russian-Chinese co-produced movies will be given a "national film" status, which furnishes the same benefits and advantages as domestically-produced films enjoy under national legislations of each of the two countries. The contributions by Russian and Chinese co-producers could make up anywhere from 20% to 80% of the joint production’s budget. Contributions by producers from third countries, who are also allowed to participate in the Russian-Chinese film projects, should not exceed 30% of the film’s budget.

Joint Russian-Chinese productions will be screened in the Russian and Chinese languages.

Comeback to India

Russian cinema is also making a comeback to India. A Russian film called "The Crew" (2016) will be released in India soon under an agreement with Indian partners.

Film Director Beslan Terekbayev said that his film "The Best Friends" would be released in 2017. "The film’s plot is about friendship between Russian, Chechen and Indian boys who find themselves in Russia where they encounter and get entangled in various adventures. Casting has already been made. For the moment, the Russian side is looking for co-partners among Indian movie makers," Terekbayev said in one of his interviews.

Several joint Soviet-Indian films were made during the Soviet era such as: "A Journey Beyond the Three Sea" (1957); "Black Mountain" (1971); "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" (1975); "Sunrise Over The Ganges" (1985); "Ali Baba And The Forty Thieves" (1979); "A Legend of Love" (1984); "Black Prince Ajouba" (1989) and "By The Law Of The Jungle" (1991). 

The Russian Cinema Days, which took place in Mumbai on November 15-18, featured a unique variety of contemporary Russian movies consisting of various artistic styles and genres.

Mumbai’s early 20th century Royal Opera House was chosen as the event’s venue.

The Russian film festival, which took place in Mumbai in 2015, was extremely popular, as all tickets were sold out.

"Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is more than just an Indian economic hub. It is also the capital of India’s film industry where world famous actors like Raj Kapoor, Mehboob Khan; Guru Dutt and other stars from Bollywood’s "golden age" used to work. Today, the Bombay film studios remain India’s international cinema brand. Therefore, it is important for us to understand what a sophisticated Mumbai viewer thinks about contemporary Russian movies," Maria Lemesheva, the Russian Cinema Days’ producer, said.

The event’s organizers included the Russian Culture Ministry, the Union of Russian Filmmakers; the Cinemarus production company and the Russian Union of Right-holders.