(29 Nov 1995) Russian/Nat
The Russian-backed authorities in Chechnya are getting on with plans for a Presidential election on December 17.
It's almost a year since the Russian army began its crackdown on Muslim rebels fighting for independence - an estimated 30 thousand people were killed.
But whilst the authorities try to shore up their victory - young people in the republic's capital are setting up their own cottage industry - making bootleg videos.
Grozny's Jubilee Cinema used to be the focal point for young Chechens in search of entertainment.
Now, however, like most of the other buildings in the capital, the Jubilee lies in ruins - destroyed in the war between the Russian army and Chechen rebels.
Film stock litters the shelled out interior of the cinema, a reminder of happier days.
But out of the ashes of the Jubilee has risen a new industry - bootleg videos.
Grozny's youth now has a choice of 15 tiny video salons where they can watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters - sometimes even before they are released in America.
Surprisingly in a city which has seen a year of violence and bloodshed the most popular films are war and action movies.
SOUNDBITE: (In Russian)
I like action and war films. Van Damme, Schwarzenegger - those are the ones I like.
SUPER CAPTION: VoxPop
In a city basement a sophisticated dubbing studio produces dozens of bootleg videos each day for an eager market.
SOUNDBITE: (In Russian)
"Our video editors are working very fast at the moment so that our viewers watch American movies before the Americans see them."
SUPER CAPTION: Video bootlegger
In the outdoor market - the videos sell like hot cakes.
Eager for entertainment and a dose of normality in the wrecked city, Grozny's youth snap up the cassettes.
Hollywood companies might disapprove, but few copyright lawyers will be willing to take a trip to Chechnya to clamp down on the illegal trade.
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