September 23, 2025

No Open Relationship Movies


No Open Relationship Movies
Movie theater. Fernando de Souza, Wikimedia Commons.

On September 17, it was revealed that the Russian Ministry of Culture delayed the distribution license for U.S. actress Dakota John's latest movie, Splitsville, making it impossible to show the rom-com in movie theaters in the country. The permit was withheld likely due to the film's discussion of open relationships.

Splitsville (Нескромные, "Indiscreet" in Russia), centers on a wife, Ashley, who asks her husband, Carey, for a divorce. In despair, Carey runs to Julie and Paul to figure out how to save his marriage, only to find out that having an open relationship keeps his friends' marriage afloat. Carey and Ashley open their relationship, an experiment that soon spirals out of control. The movie premiered on May 19 at the Cannes Film Festival.

The American film was scheduled for release in Russia on September 25. The movie's main cast, Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona, Kyle Marvin, and Michael Angelo Corvino, gave interviews to the Russian press in preparation for the movie's premiere in the country. However, the licensing for the screening was never issued.

Independent film distributor Arna Media president Nadezhda Motina said, "I think it is a refusal [of the Ministry of Culture]. We don't understand the reasons. I personally saw the film and there is nothing problematic in it." Motina pointed out that similar films are being released in Russia. The film distributor added, "The state will lose R20 million rubles ($239,536) in direct taxes from us on this film alone."

After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it faced a boycott from Hollywood's major studios. For the past three years, Russian cinemas have had to get creative on how to show American films. These tactics have included renting their screening rooms to third-party companies that project the movies. However, American films appear to be attempting a return to Russia, and the move has not been welcomed by the Russian government.

In April, the Ministry of Culture denied licensing for Guy Ritchie's World War II-themed movie The Ministry of Ungentlemenly Warfare, starring Henry Cavill. And in July, the Duma passed a bill refusing screening permits to films that "discredit traditional values." That law will officially come into effect in March 2026.

You Might Also Like

FSB's New Treason Trap
  • September 16, 2025

FSB's New Treason Trap

Russia has opened over 100 "light treason" cases in under two years, many born from FSB operations.
Murderer Released or No?
  • September 18, 2025

Murderer Released or No?

Conflicting accounts emerge whether a notorious convicted murder has been released.
Economy in Crisis?
  • September 13, 2025

Economy in Crisis?

A recent report summarized the potentially perilous state of the Russian economy.
A Civic Duty?
  • September 14, 2025

A Civic Duty?

A local Russian leader opened a new kindergarten by calling on citizens to be fruitful and multiply.
Marriage War Scams Grow
  • September 03, 2025

Marriage War Scams Grow

Russian lawmakers push for tougher rules amid reports of women marrying deployed soldiers to collect benefits.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955