Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov has described his new life in the trenches following the Russian invasion of his country and launched a petition urging the international film community to boycott Russian cinema while hostilities persist.
“My country is being ruined, but our spirit is strong. We are going to fight until our victory,” wrote Sentsov in an open letter.
”For this, we need your support. The support of intellectuals and artists who oppose Putin’s bloody regime. People who value human life more than anything. I request your support for the boycott of Russian cinematography in all dimensions, including film cooperation: co-production, distribution and festivals, as requested by the Ukrainian Film Academy.”
Just two weeks ago, Sentsov was among 40 leading figures from Ukraine’s cultural and scientific communities appealing for peace as Russian troops massed on Ukraine’s borders.
He was in the middle of promoting the theatrical release of his new political crime drama Rhino in Ukraine when the Russian invasion began on February 24. He is now serving as a reservist volunteer in an undisclosed location.
The director was held captive for five years by the Russian authorities for opposing its support of separatists in Eastern Ukraine.
“For a week now, I have been standing in the trenches as a participant of the territorial defence of Kyiv, which is a part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Life has changed in an instant with the fall of the first bomb on the territory of Ukraine. Everything we knew about Hitler’s invasion has now become real again,” he wrote.
The letter was released as the Russian forces intensified their attacks on cities across Ukraine. More than 2,000 civilians have died due to Russian military action since last Thursday and another one million people have fled the country.
Oleg Sentsov’s open letter in full:
A Statement to the International Film Community
My name is Oleg Sentsov. I am a Ukrainian film director. In 2014, I was unlawfully imprisoned in Russia and sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment for fighting against Putin regime and annexation of Crimea. Back then, the whole film industry stood up to support me. And I am immensely grateful for it. Now I’m asking you to support my country.
Exactly two weeks ago, my movie, which I shot after I was out, was released in Ukraine. For a week now, I have been standing in the trenches as a participant of the territorial defence of Kyiv, which is a part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Life has changed in an instant with the fall of the first bomb on the territory of Ukraine. Everything we knew about Hitler’s invasion has now become real again.
My motherland is mercilessly shelled from the land, sea and air. Russian bombs are falling on Ukrainian children. Millions are sitting in bomb shelters. Millions are suffering from being cold and lacking food. My country is being ruined, but our spirit is strong. We are going to fight until our victory.
For this, we need your support. The support of intellectuals and artists who oppose Putin’s bloody regime. People who value human life more than anything. I request your support for the boycott of Russian cinematography in all dimensions, including film cooperation: co-production, distribution and festivals, as requested by the Ukrainian Film Academy. Please sign the petition!
Stand with Ukraine!
We will stop Putin together!
Thank you,
Oleg Sentsov
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