The Cannes Film Festival has become the latest organization to announce a boycott against Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine as dozens of company’s across the globe seek to distance themselves from Moscow.
“As the world has been hit by a heavy crisis in which a part of Europe finds itself in a state of war, the Festival de Cannes wishes to extend all its support to the people of Ukraine and all those who are in its territory,” the organization said.
“However modest as it is, we join our voices with those who oppose this unacceptable situation and denounce the attitude of Russia and its leaders.”
Cannes did, however, throw its support behind Russians “who have taken risks to protest against the assault and invasion of Ukraine.”
“Among them are artists and film professionals who have never ceased to fight against the contemporary regime, who cannot be associated with these unbearable actions, and those who are bombing Ukraine,” the organization said.
Loyal to its history that started in 1939 in resistance to the fascist and Nazi dictatorship, the Festival de Cannes will always serve artists and industry professionals that raise their voices to denounce violence, repression, and injustices, for the main purpose to defend peace and liberty.”
The film by Ukrainian filmmaker Valentyn Vasynovych, is set during the 2014 war in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region and was presented in competition at the 78th Venice Film Festival 2021.
A string of other cultural festivals has also announced similar boycotts against Moscow while the global film and TV industry doubled down on its solidarity with Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine, a former Soviet nation, on Feb. 24 under President Vladimir Putin’s premise of a “special military operation.”
Russian officials and state-run media outlets have not yet made any public comments on Reznikov’s claims.
