FIRST OFF . . .
The Soviet Cinema Workers’ Union announced a major reorganization of the country’s film industry, including financial and editorial independence for studios formerly under full state control. The changes, decided at a special plenum of the union last week, mark the latest stage of a cultural thaw under Kremlin leader Mikhail Gorbachev. “We want to democratize the film industry,” union leader Elem Klimov declared Friday, saying the changes would bring greater freedom to directors while enhancing their responsibility.
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