Yury Khashchavatski's film removed from YouTube on request of Putin's politologist

YouTube blocked access to the film Lobotomy.

YouTube blocked access to the film Lobotomy on the request of pro-Kremlin politologist Sergey Kurginyan, charter97.org learnt from director Yury Khashchavatski.

– I visit the most popular YouTube account with the film from time to time and look at statistics. It changed considerably when the events in Ukraine began. Several thousands visitors watched the film every day. The number of views was more than 400,000. I studied the statistics and discussions. It was very interesting for me.

One day, it was the day after the Malaysian plane was shot down, I visited the account and saw the following warning: “The video is no longer available due to a copyright claim”. I was shocked, because it is I who own copyright. I sent a letter to YouTube with two requests. The first one was to get free access to the film. Despite someone else posted this video, I was not against it. I enjoyed the discussion. The second one was to tell me who decided to “protect” my copyright. They answered me on Friday that Sergey Kurginyan's studio Sut Vremeni asked to block the movie,” Yury Khashchavatski said.

– Was access to the film restored?

– The film is available on many accounts. But you cannot watch it on the most popular one. We are now talking to return the movie to that account. As a response, I asked my friends to upload Lobotomy with English subs – many asked me to do so.

– Sergey Kurginyan was reported some days ago to have asked to remove another video titled Putin, the Instigator of War for copyright reasons. Is it a coincidence?

– I turned attention to this incident, too. I was negotiating with YouTube when it happened. I had suspicion that it was Sergey Kurginyan who was involved in removing Lobotomy. It was confirmed the next day. It looks like a campaign to clear the Internet of uncomfortable videos. YouTube assumes that these requests can be made only from authors. They didn't think these rules can used in information wars. As a result, many videos are removed by such crooks as Kuginyan. Many videos seem to be blocked in this way.

– August 8 is an anniversary of Russia's attack on Georgia. You film was shot after these events. Does it still have importance amid the events in the Donbass region?

– The number of views sharply increased amid the conflict in Ukraine. I thought the film would not lose its importance. Now I am sure of it. People watch it and understand many things in Russia's policy. I wasn't going to shoot a one-time film hot on the traces. One can learn such things from news. I tried to understand the inner motives of events in Russia, why it is so aggressive in relation to other countries. It happened so that the film gives a detailed explanation to the events in Ukraine. I am afraid the film won't lose its importance, because Russia won't stop itself. Someone needs to stop it. The faster people will understand it, also by watching Lobotomy, the better it will be.