The European Film Academy released a statement in support of Ukrainian filmmakers after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. For the Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa this position has not been enough and he has decided to leave the academy with a slam of the door.
A pledge of support to Ukrainian filmmakers
The invasion of Ukraine has the whole world on edge, and within the entertainment industry numerous associations and personalities have already voiced their support for Ukraine. A few days ago, the European Film Academy launched a letter in which he expressed his solidarity with the country and tended to collaborate with filmmakers who might need support.
In addition to the official statement, the president of the ACE mike downey wrote a letter to The Hollywood Reporter expanding on the organization’s position.
“Even though [la invasión rusa] calls for moral outrage, does not help at this time. It is too early to respond with action, so we are keeping an eye on our board and colleagues from neighboring countries like Poland to see how we can work together and give practical support to any Ukrainian filmmaker who may need it.”
This position has not sat well with Sergei Loznitsathe director of ‘Donbass’, who has condemned this response from the Academy and left the organization a few days ago.
“What a shameful text has been generated from the European Film Academy!” Loznitsa began, referring to an email sent to The Hollywood Reporter. “‘You are very worried about the invasion in Ukraine’… You say in your statement that you have 61 Ukrainian members in your ranks. Well, as of today you only have 60. I don’t need you to be ‘alert and in contact with me’, Thanks a lot!”
In her statement, Loznitsa criticized what she sees as a lukewarm response from the European Film Academy, which shows support for Ukrainian filmmakers but would not openly condemn the invasion.
“For four days in a row, the Russian army has devastated Ukrainian towns and cities, killing Ukrainian citizens. Is it really possible that you, humanists and defenders of dignity and human rights, champions of freedom and democracy, are afraid of calling a war a war, and openly condemning barbarity?” continued the Ukrainian director. “There is no doubt about one thing: the European Film Academy was raised in 1989 to bury its head in the sand and get away from the catastrophe that is taking place in Europe.”
‘Don Bass’ represented Ukraine in the race for the Oscar for Best International Film, although it ended up missing out on the final five nominations. In her film, Loznitsa shows thirteen short stories showing how corruption affects daily life in Ukraine, including a prologue with fictitious testimonies about the bombing of the area.