The Russian Ministry of Culture has declined to issue a distribution license for the historical drama “Nuremberg.” The film was originally scheduled to hit domestic screens on March 19.
Officials cited subparagraph “z” of clause 19 of the established film distribution regulations as the reason for the ban. This specific provision allows for a refusal based on “other cases stipulated by federal laws,” a broad justification that provides the ministry with significant discretion.
Set in 1945, “Nuremberg” follows American psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (played by Rami Malek) as he initiates a series of psychological evaluations of Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe), Hitler’s second-in-command. While Kelley’s objective is to determine what distinguishes the mind of a high-ranking war criminal from that of an ordinary person, he finds himself forming an unexpectedly complex bond with the Reichsmarschall.
The project is an adaptation of Jack El-Hai’s 2014 book *The Nazi and the Psychiatrist*. It was written and directed by James Vanderbilt (*Zodiac*) and features a supporting cast including Michael Shannon, Leo Woodall, and Richard E. Grant. Following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, the film received a generally positive reception from critics, currently holding a 71% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
