Ukraine does not deserve to be forgotten, nor to be invaded, with understandable intentions. It is a sovereign State, it preserves free souls, free citizens, and various forms of beauty, from the Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Kiev to the Greek archaeological evidences of Sevastopol, from the museum of Odessa (that keeps, among other things, an original Caravaggio, and some Rubens, David, Guercino…) to a cinematographic one that, in these hours, deserves to be listened to with particular attention. Apart from the quite well known “Potëmkin staircase”. The EFA (European Film Academy) has promised support to its Ukrainian members, with particular regard to the artists who run the most significant risks precisely because of their open opposition to the Putin regime. All the EFA members in Ukraine received personalized correspondence co-signed by EFA President Mike Downey, Polish director Agnieszka Holland and EFA director Matthijs Wouter Knol, who expressed solidarity with their plight. A specific meeting of the Board is also planned.
Valentyn Vasjanovych, director of ‘Reflection’, that precisely reflects on the Russian torture of the Ukrainian people, said: «I stay in Kyiv. I want to be among people who are aware of their ethnic, cultural and political affiliation. I want to be among these people to gain important experiences that will help me create true stories about them. I want to be part of a force that will lead to the destruction of the evil empire»; during the presentation of the film at the 78th Venice Film Festival, Vasyanovych declared: «The film is aimed at a thinking audience, an audience that is not afraid to raise hard questions about heavy trauma or to seek answers. It is not a film made to entertain».
In a collective document relaunched in various cinema magazines, Kiev professionals said: «Today, Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine. Now, more than ever, we need the help of the international community and anyone who understands that tomorrow war may be at your door. We’ve talked about the war in eastern Ukraine in our films for eight years. You watched them at the festivals. But this is not a film, but our reality. And today this reality has spread throughout our country without exception. Ukrainian cinematographers appeal to you not to be silent and not to stand aside. They are asking for help and certain actions that can help Ukraine regain peace»; and Oleg Sentsov, the director and activist imprisoned in Russia, defended by Amnesty International and on whom the international cinema community had mobilized for release after a carefully constructed trial, declares: «Putin does not dwell on Ukraine. This is a full-scale war. This is a challenge to the whole democratic world. We are not only defending our land, we are resisting the impending tyranny. The time of concern is over. It is time to fight for freedom and truth».
(Sources: ANSA; Deadline; others)