The Cannes parallel sections of Critics’ Week, Directors’ Fortnight and ACID have put out a joint statement expressing their solidarity for the Ukrainian people as they fight for their freedom in the face of the Russian invasion.
The three sections made it clear, however, that they would be taking the same approach as that announced by the Cannes Film Festival of barring Russian state-backed film organisations but keeping the door open for individual Russian filmmakers.
“Ever since their creation, the parallel sections of the Cannes Film Festival have welcomed dissident artists, persecuted in their home countries. We have always endeavoured to share their voices and images with audiences from around the world,” the three sections said in a joint statement.
“We will continue to do so freely as we strive to keep the spirit of resistance alive, in all its forms and colours. We will continue to receive and consider films from all filmmakers regardless of their nationality.”
Russian forces intensified their attacks on towns and cities across Ukraine on Thursday as Russia’s full-scale invasion entered its second week. Ukrainian authorities said on Wednesday that at least 2,000 civilians had been killed due to Russian military action so far.
The statement from the parallel sections comes amid growing calls from Ukrainian cinema professionals for an outright boycott of Russian cinema.
Ukrainian producer Denis Ivanov pointed out in an open letter on Thursday that all Russian films receive some sort of state support regardless of the director’s political beliefs.
He added that many are also backed by funds owned by oligarchs. He cited the example of Kinoprime, which belongs to Roman Abramovich, who is currently trying to push through the sale of Chelsea football club before potential UK sanctions hit.
“Most of the Russian “opposition” directors can work only because they were allowed to work by Putin’s regime. They have their roles in the play, written and directed in Kremlin. Presentation of their work at film festivals has the only aim - to falsely show that Russia is part of the so-called civilized world,” he wrote.
Later in the day, filmmaker Oleg Sentsov also joined the call for a boycott via an open letter sent from the Ukrainian frontline where he is serving as an army reservist volunteer. He asked artists around the world to show support for his country by signing the Ukrainian Film Academy’s petition calling for a boycott.
The film industry in Estonia, another Russian neighbour that is looking vulnerable in light of the Ukraine invasion, has also called for a boycott of both Russian and Belarussian filmmakers this week.
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