Soviet Society Complains Of Ban on Russian Films

Grey River Argus, 8 September 1948, Page 8

Soviet Society Complains Of Ban on Russian Films

WELLINGTON, Sept. 7 While the American film, “The Iron Curtain” has been given the support of some prominent members of the Government, and is to be shown in a large city theatre with the full blessing: oi the theatre management, says the New Zealand Society for Closer Relations with the U.S.S.R. in a statement. Soviet films and films favourable to the Soviet have been refused by film exhibitors, although not refused by the censor. The statement says that it has been impossible to hire theatres for private screenings of Soviet films and alleges that Mr R. J. Kerridge told a member of the executive of tne society that he would not permit his theatres to be hired for that purpose and would not allow these films to go on circuit. , , „ , “What chance has the public, under these circumstances, of seeing both sides of the question?” the statement The statement adds that one film in particular was refused a licence by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon, P. Fraser, on the grounds that it cast reflections on a friendly Power and. asks: “What withholds the Prime Minister’s Department from adopting a. similar attitude to ‘The Irontain?’ We would point out .that tne 20-year Anglo-Soviet treaty is still in forco• The statement concludes by asking if the Government is t aking orders from abroad in refusing to allow the public to see both sides of an important question.