Russia on the Rise

Ten years ago, documentaries disappeared in Russia. No longer funded by the state and unwanted by broadcasters suddenly forced to chase ratings, docs dried up like neglected cans of archived film and seemed at risk of disappearing forever. 'In 1994, it was very difficult here,' says Vitaly Fedko, founder and CEO of Corona Films, a production company in St. Petersburg. 'There were no rules; it was an organizational mess. When we made one of our first documentaries, we called one of the channels in St. Petersburg and they said, 'You pay us and we'll show it.''

February 1, 2004

Ten years ago, documentaries disappeared in Russia. No longer funded by the state and unwanted by broadcasters suddenly forced to chase ratings, docs dried up like neglected cans of archived film and seemed at risk of disappearing forever. 'In 1994, it was very difficult here,' says Vitaly Fedko, founder and CEO of Corona Films, a production company in St. Petersburg. 'There were no rules; it was an organizational mess. When we made one of our first documentaries, we called one of the channels in St. Petersburg and they said, 'You pay us and we'll show it.''