INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Harry Potter movies will vanish from Russian streaming services from Wednesday as Russians continue to face dwindling access to
Western-made films and tv following the intrusion of Ukraine.Kinopoisk and Amediateka, 2 of Russias largest film platforms, announced last
week that Tuesday is the last day when the wizard franchise based upon the widely cherished book series would be available
The licensing rights to movies in the Harry Potter universe end as planned on Jan
31, the RBC news websitequoted Amediateka as saying.Amediateka had actually attempted however was unable to extend its licensing rights to
the Harry Potter franchise, RIA Novosti has reported, pointing out an unnamed agent from Russias streaming sector.The latest restrictions
come after two of Russias biggest e-book distributors pulled the Harry Potter books from their stores on a request from copyright holders
last spring.The Harry Potter movies are produced and distributed by Warner Bros
Pictures, which together with other Hollywood studios suspended theatrical releases in Russia in reaction to the Ukraine invasion.Hollywoods
exit has played an essential role in Cheburashka, a Russian reboot of the famed Soviet cartoon, becoming Russias highest-grossing movie of
perpetuity simply one month after its premiere.
