The removal of erotic scenes from a film in Makhachkala cinemas has puzzled analysts.

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The screening of the film "The Maid" in Makhachkala cinemas with its erotic scenes edited out has raised eyebrows among analysts, who have advised religious people not to attend such screenings. There have already been cases of criticism of cultural events; such a fight for morality is rather superficial.

As "Caucasian Knot" reported, at the end of January it became known that the film "The Maid" was being shown in Makhachkala cinemas in an abridged version—sexual scenes were removed from the film, and viewers were shown a black screen.

Users of Dagestani Telegram channels criticized the censorship of the film "The Maid" in cinemas.

"Let them stay home. Why go to such a film and complain?" Gulya Barber wrote on the Telegram channel "Tut Dagestan," which has 125,565 subscribers. "Why do religious people go to 18+ films?" Saniyat added.

"A movie theater is a public space, not a religious one. There are age ratings and laws, but everyone observes their own faith. If you don't like the content, you don't have to go or choose another film," Jamik believes.

In response to this post, an unknown user wrote: "The theater owner should understand that they are located in a Muslim republic, and that society won't like this, and it could ruin their reputation."

They were afraid that the "guardians of morality" in the movie theaters could provoke those who attended.

Makhachkala resident Maria told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that she planned to go to the film premiere with her classmates. "It was billed as a 'psychological thriller.' After the scandal surrounding the ban on allegedly erotic scenes, we changed our minds. But not for any ethical reasons. We were afraid that the 'guardians of morality' might provoke those who attended the screening. We come from intelligent families; we don't need such troubles," the girl says.

According to Yandex-Afisha, the film "The Maid" is being shown in four cinemas in Makhachkala and Kaspiysk.

At the Moskva cinema in Kaspiysk, a Caucasian Knot correspondent was told that the film was being shown "in its full format." The Cinema Hall cinema in Makhachkala also reported that the film was being shown "uncut," and that only a few tickets remained for the evening screening. Other cinemas listed on Yandex.Afisha were unavailable for comment.

Changing the content of a film after issuing a distribution certificate is a violation

Removing erotic scenes from a film rated 18+ is illegal under federal law, lawyer Magomed Rasulov commented to a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent on February 3.

Any change to the content of a film after issuing a distribution certificate is a violation

"The film has passed the state distribution certificate procedure. This means that the Russian Ministry of Culture conducted an examination, assigned an 18+ age category, and approved the film for screening throughout the country in the form in which it was originally presented. Any change to the content of the film after issuing a distribution certificate is a violation. "In this case, a ban on public screenings of the film with the changes may be imposed," he said.

Rasulov noted that the 18+ age category already serves as a warning and restriction, meaning the film is intended only for adult audiences, who have the right to decide for themselves whether to watch it. Removing scenes at the initiative of a cinema or local authorities is a form of censorship not provided for by law. Direct responsibility in this case lies with the cinema that violated the terms of its distribution license, and the oversight body is the Russian Ministry of Culture. "However, in Dagestan and other Muslim regions, public pressure is strong. Cinemas, fearing scandal and pressure from religious organizations, are forced to violate federal law to avoid problems locally. This creates a legal vacuum, where federal norms are ignored under the pressure of local traditions," Rasulov said.

Russian legislation does not contain a detailed legal definition of an "erotic scene." The relevant criteria are specified in separate orders and instructions from the Russian Ministry of Culture, art historian Natalya told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The 18+ rating is assigned through expert review, and the presence of explicit sexual scenes is the primary, but not the only, criterion.

She explained that, according to these criteria, the 18+ category includes products that depict sexual intercourse and/or other sexual acts, contain scenes promoting or justifying violence, pornography, and drug use. "Simply kissing, hints at sexual relations, or revealing outfits do not automatically qualify for the 18+ rating. The decision is made by Ministry of Culture experts based on a combination of factors: the duration of the scene, the degree of explicitness, and the artistic intent. The concept of an "erotic scene" is defined not by law, but by the Ministry of Culture's departmental criteria, where the key factor is the explicit depiction of sexual intercourse. The 18+ rating is assigned through expert review, and the presence of explicit sexual scenes is the main, but not the only, criterion," says the art critic.

She added that any regional censorship is illegal, but exists in practice due to sociocultural differences and weak local oversight of federal legislation in this area.

Islam does not have a single, direct, and categorical prohibition on cinema. Muslim legal scholars view it as a tool that can be used for both good and evil, and the specific attitude is formed based on the film's content, Muhammad, an employee of one of Makhachkala's mosques, told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"In Islamic law, there are 'makruh' actions that are reprehensible, undesirable, or reprehensible, or strictly prohibited—'haram.'" These include watching films that promote debauchery, adultery, homosexual relations (the LGBT movement is recognized as an extremist organization - note from the "Caucasian Knot"), depict nudity and sexual acts, and encourage violence, cruelty, and injustice," the cleric explained.

As for spouses watching such films, theoretically there is no such prohibition.

He added that looking at the "avrat"—the private parts of a stranger's body—is strictly prohibited. Therefore, viewing footage showing the "avrat" of other men and women is prohibited. "As for spouses watching such films, theoretically there is no such prohibition. However, watching explicit scenes together can be seen as imitation of an unfaithful or depraved lifestyle. Conservative theologians believe this is absolutely unacceptable. "More moderate people may tolerate watching films together that hint at a relationship, but not explicit scenes, as long as this doesn't conflict with the spouses' mutual sense of modesty," Muhammad believes.

There have been attempts to censor cultural events in Dagestan before.

Journalist and human rights activist Svetlana Anokhina reminded a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that similar attempts at censorship have occurred before.

"Perhaps this is an initiative of the cinema owners. Most likely, that's the case. Well, in general, similar attempts have been made before. We remember the scandal surrounding theatrical productions, where some scenes of seduction, I think, were filmed on a phone, and information circulated that there were some very explicit actions right on stage, let's say, almost intercourse. And, of course, there was an uproar. Some more letters were written by public figures who are in favor of morality and ethics. It's not surprising that the same thing is now happening in movie theaters. But, as far as I know, it was decided to somehow change this practice and create two auditoriums for men and women. I don't quite understand the point. But I like it, I'm glad that someone was outraged by the cutting of scenes. If it says 18+, that means you can't take children there. And the person going there should be fully aware of what they're being shown," she said.

"Forcibly censoring adults while watching a feature film is just plain stupid. "It's very reminiscent of the Soviet Union at its worst," said Anokhina.

Saida Sirazhudinova, President of the Center for the Study of Global Contemporary and Regional Issues "Caucasus. World. Development," suggested that officials could have recommended cutting the scenes, but she also noted that Islamic sentiments are growing in society itself.

The topic is a bit complex; it demonstrates the growing Islamization of a society that is trying to impose its vision on everyone.

"The topic is a bit complex; it demonstrates the growing Islamization of a society that is trying to impose its vision on everyone. This is despite the fact that, as always, the measures in the fight for morality are very superficial. Perhaps some authority gave the order. But since many officials came from the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims, it's difficult to find the origins. Unless they themselves make a statement. That's a question for the Ministry of Culture or the Department of Religion. But since they are officially considered secular and state institutions, they are unlikely to speak out," she believes.

According to her, this is not the first time that moral guardians have influenced the content of films, plays, and concerts in Dagestan. "Those who are interested in the content go to see films. It's mostly the secular part of the population that goes to theaters, and even often to cinemas. Essentially, it's the right of viewers who have paid tickets to watch the full version of their chosen film. But we all remember the attacks that were launched against certain performances and plays. Nowadays, many people avoid cultural venues. On the other hand, there are scenes here that people are embarrassed to watch in cinemas. I observed reactions when girls felt awkward at a performance in Moscow. But perhaps they felt awkward because there were people from the community nearby? It's an ethical question, of course. But it feels more like informational noise," Sirazhudinova concluded.