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What were video salons & why were they so popular in the USSR

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For millions of Soviet citizens, it was the only opportunity to see recently released foreign movies.

At the turn of the 1980s-1990s, somewhat unusual “cinemas” opened across the Soviet Union in the most unexpected places – in private apartments, basements, school gyms, at train and bus stations and even on buses and trains, planes and ships. Only, instead of a projector, they had an ordinary television set with a small screen connected to a videocassette recorder. And these “cinemas”, known as “video salons”, showed pirated foreign movies on VHS. And they came with a cheap, dubbed soundtrack, in which a single voice, usually male, translated the dialogue of all the protagonists with a slight delay!

Entrance to a video salon on Arbat street, Moscow, 1986.

Entrance to a video salon on Arbat street, Moscow, 1986.

Ter-Mesropyan/Sputnik

Despite the appalling picture and sound quality, video salons enjoyed enormous popularity, which is not surprising – for millions of Soviet citizens, it was the only opportunity to watch recent foreign movie releases, ranging from ’81⁄2′ and ‘The Godfather’ to ‘The Evil Dead’ and action thrillers with actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone.

Video salons as small businesses

Moscow, video salon on Arbat, 1985.

Moscow, video salon on Arbat, 1985.

A. Gurevich/TASS

The first Soviet video salons were opened absolutely legally – in video libraries, where you could rent video cassettes. The first video salon in Moscow opened in 1985 on Arbat Street on the premises of a former cinema. In addition to a 30-seat auditorium, it also had “individual booths” for 3-4 people, which were suitable for families and friends. Later, a mobile video salon based on the LiAZ-5917 suburban commuter bus was even designed.

Posters at the entrance to a video salon in Leningrad, 1989.

Posters at the entrance to a video salon in Leningrad, 1989.

Oleg Kuleshov/Sputnik

Official video libraries and video salons didn’t enjoy much popularity, however. Home video recorders were still a rare luxury in those days and, moreover, only Soviet movies, already freely available on TV and in cinemas, could be rented from, or watched in, a video salon.

Video session preparation, city of Frunze, Kyrgyz SSR, 1986.

Video session preparation, city of Frunze, Kyrgyz SSR, 1986.

Vladimir Dotsenko/TASS

Everything changed with the start of perestroika, when private entrepreneurship was partly legalized in 1987. As experience showed, a video salon became an excellent form of small business. All that was needed was a venue, a few dozen chairs, a television set and, naturally, the most expensive asset – a video player. However, the demand was so great that the investment paid off in a matter of months, despite the poor film quality and expensive “tickets”. An outing to a video salon cost more or less the same throughout the country, from Moscow to Vladivostok – one ruble, on average – while a cinema ticket cost between 10 and 50 kopecks. But, you couldn’t watch Western action thrillers, horror films, erotic movies or comedies in a cinema.

A clothespin on their nose

As during prohibition in the U.S., feverish demand quickly gave rise to a clandestine industry. The latest offerings of the foreign video market were immediately brought into the USSR, where they were promptly translated by unofficial translators, copied in large numbers and distributed to video salons. The poor quality of the voiceovers gave rise to an urban legend: That the translators voiced the text with a clothespin on their nose, in order to prevent the KGB from using their voice to identify them.

In a video salon, Chelyabinsk, 1988.

In a video salon, Chelyabinsk, 1988.

Boris Klipinitser/TASS

Subsequently, voiceover dubbing whereby the same person both translated and voiced all the parts, although born of necessity, itself became a cult. Some “star” translators of the video salon era, such as Yury Serbin or Andrei Gavrilov, still translate movies at the request of their fans today. They are admired not just for reasons of nostalgia or out of love for the familiar ring of their voices, but out of respect for the quality of their translation. The translators/dubbers introduced a large number of sayings into everyday Russian speech – in general, not very decent euphemisms. The phrase “Ublyudok, mat tvoyu” (“You bastard motherf**ker”) from the American crime comedy ‘Blood and Concrete’ (1991) in the version voiced by Andrei Gavrilov, for instance, became a popular meme.

Methodist of the video salon Irina Mentshikova gives out videocassettes, 1988.

Methodist of the video salon Irina Mentshikova gives out videocassettes, 1988.

Boris Klipinitser/TASS

What is more, simultaneous translation also provided dubbers with an excellent training in cinema critique. For instance, Alexey Medvedev, one of the country’s best film festival curators, who passed away recently, started off as a translator-cum-dubber. He selected the programming for two of Russia’s top festivals – the Moscow International and ‘Message to Man’ (St. Petersburg).

Cult movies

The most popular movies of the Soviet video salon era were roughly the same as in the West: Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘The Godfather’ (1972), James Cameron’s ‘The Terminator’ (1984), ‘Terminator 2’ (1991) and ‘Aliens’ (1986), Ridley Scott’s ‘Alien’ (1979), ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ (1984) and so on. But, there were also movies that only achieved cult status in the USSR and probably nowhere else – for instance, the low-budget comedy horror ‘The Video Dead’ (1987), which was not even given a theatrical release in the U.S., but went straight to video. In the Soviet Union, however, the movie was treated on a par with recognized horror classics such as ‘The Evil Dead’ (1981).

Video Library in Voronezh, 1986.

Video Library in Voronezh, 1986.

Igor Zotin, Vadim Kozhevnikov/TASS

The comedy franchise ‘Police Academy’ (1984-1994) with Steve Guttenberg and the action thriller ‘Commando’ (1985) with Arnold Schwarzenegger were popular in the West, but their success there was in no way comparable to their stupendous popularity in the post-Soviet space. Popular Russian actor Mikhail Porechenkov, as director, was subsequently to shoot an unofficial remake of ‘Commando’ titled ‘D-Day’ (2008). With himself in the lead role, naturally.

At the exhibition complex in Moscow.

At the exhibition complex in Moscow.

Sergei Subbotin/Sputnik

The mass influx of Western movies in the late 1980s also left its mark on the Soviet cinema of those years. Yury Moroz’s science fantasy thriller ‘The Witches’ Cave’ [‘Podzemelye Vedm’] directly quotes from ‘Conan the Barbarian’ (1983). The rock star Viktor Tsoi replicates Bruce Lee’s martial arts moves in the urban Western ‘The Needle’ [‘Igla’] (1988). The hero of Roman Kachanov’s fantasy drama ‘Freak’ [‘Urod’] (1993) – a “superhero” with ability to replicate everything he sees (played by Nikita Vysotsky, son of actor, poet and singer-songwriter Vladimir Vysotsky) – goes to a video salon and watches the cult scene in ‘Commando’, where Schwarzenegger carries a log on his shoulder, after which he turns into Schwarzenegger himself and beats his enemies to a pulp.

A scree from Commando movie.

A scree from Commando movie.

20th Century Fox Film Corporation

In the early 1990s, video recorders became much cheaper and found their way into almost every home. The age of the video salon gave way to the age of video rental.

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Entertainment

Canada Super 60 set to dazzle with star-studded concert line-up at Vancouver’s BC Place

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The Canada Super 60 isn’t just changing the game; it’s creating North America’s newest entertainment spectacle. From October 8 to 13, Vancouver’s iconic BC Place will transform into a full-fledged cultural carnival, blending high-octane cricket with back-to-back music concerts.

Get ready for six nights of non-stop entertainment, headlined by some of the biggest names in Punjabi, Desi, and global fusion music. From the infectious beats of Harrdy Sandhu and Jassie Gill to the international flair of Mickey Singh, each night promises a festival atmosphere both on and off the pitch.

Concert Line-Up Highlights

  • Oct 8 – Harrdy Sandhu (9pm)
  • Oct 9 – Jassie Gill (9pm)
  • Oct 10 – Mickey Singh (9pm)
  • Oct 11 – Parmish Verma (9pm)
  • Oct 12 – Raf-Saperra (9pm)
  • Oct 13 – GirlsLikeYou x Indo Warehouse (6:15pm)

The entertainment bonanza runs alongside thrilling cricket matches featuring international stars and fan favourites. With Yuvraj Singh backing the league and legends like Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina on the field, Canada Super 60 is shaping up to be the ultimate blend of glamour, game, and groove.

“This is not just cricket; this is a lifestyle experience,” said a spokesperson for Canada Super 60. “Our entertainment line-up reflects the league’s ambition to unite cultures through music, sport, and community.”

Fans can expect full-scale stadium productions, food and cultural showcases, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, turning BC Place into Canada’s most happening venue this October.

About Canada Super 60

Canada Super 60 is the newest format in global cricket, a 60-ball showdown that delivers fast-paced action and festival-style entertainment. Backed by international icons and powered by music, sport, and cultural unity, it’s redefining how fans experience cricket in North America.

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Entertainment

UAE students risk repeating a year if absences exceed 15 days, new rules state

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Public school students in the UAE could be required to repeat an academic year if their unexcused absences exceed 15 days, under new rules announced by the Ministry of Education.

The updated guidelines exclude absences related to illness, medical travel, official event participation, emergencies, or family bereavements. Students will now be allowed up to five unexcused absences per term, capped at 15 across the year. Any excess will trigger a review, with the student’s file referred to the relevant authorities and child protection services.

The ministry also clarified that absences on Fridays, or on days immediately before or after official holidays, will count as two days. A warning system has been introduced to notify parents on the first day of absence.

Special exemptions will apply to students of determination and those with chronic illnesses. Parents may also appeal within five working days of being notified, ensuring fairness in implementation.

The initiative is aimed at tackling absenteeism, which the ministry said has a direct impact on academic performance. Citing studies, it noted that missing 10 per cent of school days equates to a loss of half an academic year, while absences beyond 20 per cent amount to a full year’s loss in achievement.

Schools have been instructed to create individual support plans for students at risk of frequent absences, including counselling sessions, parent engagement, and incentive programmes.

The ministry added that it will be up to educational boards to decide whether these rules will also extend to private schools.

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Tickets now live for Dubai’s first homegrown musical spectacle

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A cultural revolution is about to begin. Tickets are now available for Once Upon A Time in Dubai, the most ambitious, emotional, and spectacular musical ever produced in the region. Opening this December at The Agenda in Dubai Media City, the show is already being called a once-in-a-generation phenomenon — and for good reason.

More than just a stage production, Once Upon A Time in Dubai is the first original large-scale musical entirely created in the UAE, blending Broadway-worthy storytelling with the energy and dreams of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Behind this bold vision is Stéphane Boukris, entrepreneur and cultural trailblazer, who has brought together an international creative dream team — including Universal Music Group MENA as co-producer — to craft a deeply emotional journey of love, ambition, and transformation, set in today’s Dubai.

“This show is a tribute to everything Dubai represents: ambition, diversity, and the power to build your own destiny,” says Boukris. “We are creating something people will never forget.”

A World-Class Team Behind the Curtain

The production brings together talents who have previously worked on global shows such as Céline Dion, Disney shows, and Arabs Got Talent (MBC). From lighting to choreography and technical design, every detail is crafted by artists and technicians at the highest international standards.

A Story That Speaks to a Generation

At the heart of the show is Will, a young English dancer who arrives in Dubai to search for Sophia, the woman he loves. Along the way, he meets artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers from all walks of life, culminating in a celebration of courage, community, and reinvention.

The cast features rising stars Amanda Maalouf (X Factor) and Joe Woolford (The Voice UK) — with many of the lead vocalists and performers previously featured on international talent platforms, bringing an exceptional level of stage presence and vocal power. The musical includes over 20 original songs composed by Nazim Khaled, including already-viral hits like “Habibi”, “Stranger in the World”, and “Think Big”.

A City-Wide Movement

With over 150,000 spectators expected across 55 performances, the show is much more than an event — it’s becoming a movement. Once Upon A Time in Dubai is already making waves across the city with:

Strategic brand partnerships: McDonald’s, Carrefour MAF, Careem, Accor, Mall of the

Emirates, Tilal Al Ghaf, GEMS Education, and more

Immersive activations: Soundtracks in Hala taxis, QR codes in malls, music in retail

stores, and dedicated social media campaigns

Youth engagement: Auditions and showcases for students across GEMS schools,

opening the stage to the next generation of performers

The show will be performed in English, and supported by a multicultural creative team led by stage director Johan Nus.

Exclusive Ticket Sale

Tickets are available exclusively via Fever, the global ticketing platform. Pre-sale access has already launched with selected partners such as GEMS, Muse by Chalhoub, and Accor’s ALL loyalty members — with thousands of tickets snapped up in just days.

🎤 Behind the scenes videos, interviews with the cast, and a full media kit are available upon request. 📸 Press passes for opening week are now being issued — be among the first to witness the birth of a new cultural landmark.

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