549. To Y. A. LITKENS

Written on December 16, 1921 · First published in 1925 in the book: G. Boltyansky, Lenin i kino (Lenin and the Cinema), Moscow-Leningrad. Printed from a typewritten text signed by Lenin. · page 408

Comrade Litkens
Copies to Comrade Bogdanov and Comrade Lezhava

In connection with the projects put forward by Comrade Voyevodin and Comrade Lezhava, I authorise you to set up a commission chaired by you, consisting of Comrade Bogdanov, with the right of substitution, Comrade Lezhava, with the right of substitution, and Comrade Voyevodin—to examine the question of establishing a cinema industry in Russia.^[1]

V. Ulyanov (Lenin)
Chairman, C.L.D.

Notes

[1] The commission, set up on Lenin’s instructions, worked out the proposals included in the C.L.D. decision of January 4, 1922, under which camera and film production was transferred from the People’s Commissariat for Education to the S.E.C.

Later, on March 8, 1922, the C.L.D. reversed the January 4 decision and approved the decision of the S.E.C. Presidium of February 24, under which the S.E.C. took over the production of finished and semi-finished products of the camera and film industry. The People’s Commissariat for Education remained in charge of the making of films and their distribution, the operation of cinemas and the slide business.