Entertainment
Ukrainian officials criticize Venice Film Festival over Russian director's entry
Variety reports that Ukrainian authorities contested the screening of Ilya Khrzhanovsky's project, while organizers and the director denied state ties.
The short version
- Ukrainian ministries condemned the Venice Film Festival for programming Ilya Khrzhanovsky's project “DAU,” alleging it connects to the Russian state.[Variety]
- Festival director Alberto Barbera and Khrzhanovsky denied the film serves as pro-Putin propaganda or receives Russian state financing.[Variety]
- The dispute occurs as several exiled Russian filmmakers continue screening European-backed productions across major international film circuits.[Variety]
Key facts
- Ukraine's culture and foreign ministries along with its Italian embassy condemned Venice for selecting Ilya Khrzhanovsky's project “DAU.”[Variety]
- Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera stated that “DAU” is neither a Russian film nor pro-Putin propaganda.[Variety]
- Khrzhanovsky stated his film is a European co-production with Germany, France, and Sweden that has not received Russian money in seven years.[Variety]
- Russian-born directors have recently secured honors at Cannes and Venice as exiled filmmakers debut new work abroad.[Variety]
- Producer Alexander Rodnyansky received an 8.5-year prison sentence in absentia from a Moscow court due to his opposition to the war.[Variety]
What remains uncertain
- Ukrainian officials claim the project remains linked to Russian state influence, which the director and festival organizers explicitly deny.[Variety]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Are Russian Filmmakers Finally Coming in From the Cold?Variety metered