'Donbass' producer slams support for Russian filmmakers

Denis Ivanov the Ukrainian producer of critically acclaimed films including Myroslav Slaboshpytskiys The Tribe Sergey Loznitsas Donbass and Oleh Sentsovs Rhino has penned an impassioned letter against Russias war in Ukraine describing it as a genocide against Ukrainians and accusing the Russian military of war crimesIn the letter Ivanov gave his fullthroated support to a boycott on Russian films demanding no more lsquobusiness as usual with Putins Russia reports varietycomI think some festival selectors film professionals and cultural managers just do not get what is happening in Ukraine he wrote in light of an ongoing campaign by the Russian military that has escalated in recent daysThis war of aggression by the Russians has turned into a war on independence and a war for values and rights It is first of all the genocide of UkrainiansIn these circumstances I sincerely wonder about the position that I endlessly read about in the press and online that lsquoculture is out of politics lsquowe have to hear opposition voices lsquoboycott will put limits to artistic expression he addedCalls for an international boycott of Russian films have gathered momentum in recent days with the Stockholm Film Festival announcing that it would not be screening any Russian statefunded films at this years festival as long as the current war is ongoing and the Glasgow Film Festival adding it had withdrawn two Russian titles from its 2022 program maintaining that the decision was not a reflection on the views and opinions of the makers of these titleshellipbut that it would be inappropriate to proceed as normal with these screenings in the current circumstancesOther European festivals however have been more circumspectThe Cannes Film Festival announced that it would not welcome official Russian delegations nor accept the presence of anyone linked to the Russian government leaving the door open for participation from individual Russian filmmakers The Venice Biennale echoed that sentiment noting that the Venice Film Festival would ban official delegations from Russia but will not close the door to those who defend freedom of expression and demonstrate against the ignoble and unacceptable decision to attack a sovereign state and its defenseless populationRussian filmmakers and their European supporters have spoken out against blanket boycotts stressing that any moves to shut out Russian cinema from international events are silencing the Russian protest voice according to one veteran producerIvanov however underscored that Russias film industry which benefits heavily from state financing existed both explicitly and implicitly with the Kremlins backingMost of the Russian lsquoopposition directors can work only because they were allowed to work by Putins regime They have their roles in the play written and directed in Kremlin he wrote Presentation of their work at film festivals has the only aim mdash to falsely show that Russia is part of the socalled civilized world Inside Russia each participation of a film in the film festival would be a sign that lsquobusiness as usual is possible even in the times of mass murder of Ukrainian civiliansRather than object to cultural boycotts Ivanov called on Russian filmmakers to refuse to represent their country in international events and make a statement about it This act of solidarity would be the most clear and eloquent antiwar message to the world and Ukrainians than their statements in social media that they are lsquoagainst war Its not the right time for red carpets for our dear Russian colleaguesIvanov wrote to Variety on Wednesday night from his home some 20 miles outside the Ukrainian capital where he had evacuated his girlfriend and daughter and was volunteering for the Ukrainian army and localshellipto help my country to resistIn his open letter he noted that he was not alone Ukrainian film professionals have now gone to the army or are helping as volunteers or taking cover from Russian missiles in shelters or evacuating their families from the war zoneThe artistic expression of Russian filmmakers he added was a minor consideration in the face of the sacrifices being made by his Ukrainian colleagues On behalf of them Im asking for support of our boycott of Russian cinema at all international film events and all international organisations until Russian government will end up in HagueThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever