“The fight against evil must be consistent”: the response of Ukrainian institutions to the return of the European Film Festival to Russia
[ad_1]
A number of state cultural institutions reacted to the statement of the EU representation in Russia about the restoration of the European Film Festival. The Ministry of Culture, the Ukrainian Institute, State Cinema and the Ukrainian Film Academy expressed their position.
In a statement, the Ministry of Culture noted that they consider the report to be an “unfortunate misunderstanding” and are convinced that it is important to continue the sanctions policy in the cultural sphere against the Russian Federation.
“The entire European community must be consolidated and consistent in the fight against evil, which the aggressor country has become today. Millions of people suffer from the actions of the Russian Federation, 835 objects of cultural heritage, 1,702 objects of cultural infrastructure, which have value not only for Ukraine, but also is part of the European and world cultural heritage. Therefore, the resumption of cultural dialogue with the aggressor country in such conditions is unacceptable.”– they also wrote in the application of the ICIP.
The Ukrainian Institute supported the call to abandon the festival. In their address, they also reminded that Russia uses all possible spheres of influence to conduct disinformation campaigns. In particular, these are the spheres of sports, culture and scientific activity.
“We are convinced that the entire European community must be united and consistent in the fight against evil, which today is a terrorist country. The restoration of cultural cooperation in such conditions is unacceptable.”– added the Ukrainian Institute.
“The holding of international festivals in Russia, especially the support and organization of such festivals by representatives of other countries or international organizations, is tantamount to denying, belittling and trivializing Russia’s war crimes against Ukraine“, the Ukrainian Film Academy reacted.
Derzhkino supports the same position. Moreover, the agency expressed gratitude to all companies that previously responded to the call to boycott Russian cinema. Among them are the film companies Disney, Warner Bros, Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures, streaming services Netflix and HVO, as well as video hosting YouTube. They also thanked the international festivals that did not present Russian films.
“Cinematography is a large part of the informational struggle against Russian aggression. But it is not only the Ukrainian war,” – wrote in Derzhkino.
Derzhkino also drew attention to the fact that they have already contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, law enforcement agencies of Ukraine and specialized organizations of the European Union. They expressed a persistent request to contact the diplomatic missions of the countries whose films were presented at the European Film Festival in Russia. The main goal is to take the necessary measures to prevent the festival from being held in the Russian Federation.
About the European Film Festival in Russia
The European film festival was held for more than 15 years, but was canceled due to the full-scale invasion of Russia on the territory of Ukraine. The EU Representation in the Russian Federation noted that they are resuming the event. An official opening ceremony has already taken place in one of the Moscow cinemas.
This year, the festival program includes 19 films from the countries of the European Union, including Belgium, France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Spain and Italy. Also mentioned are two films produced in Russia in cooperation with European film studios.
According to the representative of the EU in Russia, Roland Galaraga, the films presented at the festival will show the diversity of cultures and emotions, even in the “difficult context” of relations between the EU and Russia.
The event will take place online from November 1 to 15. Viewers from Russia will be able to watch festival films with Russian subtitles for free.
Read also: Free and with Russian subtitles. The EU returns its film festival to Russia
[ad_2]
Original Source Link
