Theatres were already built .
Film renting distributors had already replaced direct sales to exhibitors , when , in 1908 , Alexander Drankov produced the first Russian narrative film , Stenka Razin , based on events told in a popular folk song and directed by Vladimir Romashkov .
Theatres were already built , and film renting distributors had already replaced direct sales to exhibitors , when , in 1908 , Alexander Drankov produced the first Russian narrative film , Stenka Razin , based on events told in a popular folk song and directed by Vladimir Romashkov .