• Director(s):

    VASAK (Vladimir), ZAMYSLOVA (Liza), TOULY (Florence)

  • Producer(s):

    ARTE GEIE

  • Territories:

    Worldwide.

  • Production year:

    2015

  • Language(s):

    German, English, French

  • Rights:

    TV, DVD, NON-THEATRICAL, INTERNET, VOD

European sanctions against Moscow in the context of the Ukrainian crisis have reinforced Russian unity, boosted agriculture and brought back the myth of the Kolkhoz.

Since the annexation of Crimea in March 2014 and the war in Ukraine, Russia has been subject to a regime of sanctions by the European Union. In response, Vladimir Putin has banned imports into Russia of EU agricultural products. A commercial tug of war, aimed at stimulating the Russian agricultural sector.
Over the last 15 years, thanks to the financial windfall of Russian gas and oil, the country has imported massively, thus weakening its own economy. Russian consumers, and in particular Moscovites, had become used to buying Dutch tomatoes, Polish potatoes and dairy products from the Baltic countries - imported products that were often cheaper than their Russian equivalents. 
Moscow is now playing to the population’s patriotism by encouraging them to consume local products. And it is having the desired effect: throughout the country, Russians are proud to prove they can meet their own food needs.