We must stop supporting Russia and boycott its films. This, in essence, is the point of view of Denis Ivanov. The Ukrainian producer, known for films Donbass, The Tribe and BlackLevel, in particular, launched a violent charge against the war launched by Vladimir Putin in his country. Clearly evoking a “genocide against the Ukrainians”, he insists that the cinema industry should no longer be complicit with the Russian government.
“Most Russian ‘opposition’ directors can only work because they were allowed to by Putin’s regime. They have their role in the play, written and staged in the Kremlin. The presentation of their works at film festivals has only one purpose: to falsely show that Russia is part of the so-called civilized world. Inside Russia, each participation of a film in a film festival would be a sign that “business continues”, even in times of massacres of Ukrainian civilians”, writes the producer in an open letter relayed by variety.
No representation
Denis Ivanov also goes so far as to encourage Russian directors to join the movement, refusing to represent Russia at festivals. “Refusing to represent their country in international events and making a statement about it. This act of solidarity would be the clearest and most eloquent anti-war message to the world and to Ukrainians. (…) This is not the right time for red carpets for our dear Russian colleagues, ”added the producer.
Some international festivals have pledged to strictly refuse Russian films, such as those from Stockholm and Glasgow, while the Cannes festival has for the moment contented itself with announcing that it would refuse “official Russian delegations and does not accept not the presence of people linked to the Russian government”, just like the Venice Film Festival.
“Ukrainian cinema professionals have now gone to the army, or help as volunteers, or protect themselves from Russian missiles in shelters, or evacuate their families from the war zone. Their “artistic expression” is limited by these circumstances. On their behalf, I ask to support our boycott of Russian cinema in all international film events and in all international organizations until the Russian government ends up in The Hague,” Denis Ivanov concluded.
Source: 20minutes
