Ukrainian directors appeal to the world to fight Russia’s information war, saying ‘this is not a film, but our reality’
Los Angeles: A group of prominent Ukrainian filmmakers has called on the world to be aware of the danger posed to democracy after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of his country.
“Now, more than ever, we need the help of the international community and anyone who understands that tomorrow war may be at your doorstep,” said the open letter, accessed by Variety.
“We’ve talked about the war in eastern Ukraine in our films for eight years. You’ve seen them at festivals. But it’s not a movie, but our reality. And today that reality is all over our country without exception. has spread.”
The letter circulated in the media was signed by Oleh Sentsov (“Rhino”); Valentin Vasyanovic (‘Reflection’ and ‘Atlantis’); Maryna er Gorbach (‘Klondike’); Anna Machukh, Executive Director, Ukrainian Film Academy and Odessa International Film Festival (OIFF); Natalia Vorozhbyt, (“Bad Roads”); Iryna Tsilyk(‘The earth is blue as an orange’); and Nariman Alive, (“Homeward”).
He urged the international community to listen to the needs of Ukrainian politicians, implement economic sanctions against Russia and most importantly fight an information war.
In it, as Variety says, he appears to endorse the adage that “the truth is the first casualty in any war”.
Attaching a list of “operative, truthful information” about Russia’s war against Ukraine, he said, “The most important thing you can do now for Ukraine is to verify what is happening. Reading and disseminating information.”
Vorozbeit details her family’s activities and wrote: “We took chairs, candles and water to the basement. I allowed my daughter to swear, because she was scared. My ex-husband enlisted in the army. We went to Europe.” Live in the center of. 21st century, in Ukraine. Our closest neighbors are Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Baltic, Romania. Near Germany, France, Italy, etc. – we [can] Get there by car. It’s not just our war.”
