In an open letter, several prominent Russian cinematographers have demanded an end to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.
“We, Russian cinematographers, demand a stop to military aggression against Ukraine, an immediate ceasefire, and a withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory,” reads the letter that is undersigned by over a 100 cinematographers, and is spearheaded by Fedor Lyass (Hardcore Henry).
The signatories include Roman Vasyanov (Suicide Squad), Mikhail Krichman (Loveless, Leviathan), Vladislav Opelyants (Leto), Pavel Kapinos (Hardcore Henry), and Pavel Fomintsev (Unclenching the Fists).
While Russia launched a large-scale invasion only on February 24, Russian troops had earlier entered through the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, which claimed to be independent territories.
The letter, which notes that the war began on February 22, goes on to say, “There is no geopolitical excuse, no goal of any kind that would justify taking human lives – don’t let propaganda convince you otherwise. The officially stated aims of this ‘operation’ have nothing to do with reality: the war is being fought across all of Ukraine, people are being killed or forced to flee their homes and spend their nights in bomb shelters. What can possibly justify that? What greater purpose is worth the people of Kyiv learning to tell a Grad rocket from a Smerch rocket by the sound? No such purpose exists.”
It further adds that “the so-called ‘military operation’ will isolate Russia from the rest of the world for decades, expel it from the international cultural scene, lead to devastating consequences for its economy, and stain us and our children with deserved disgrace.”
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Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, several of the country’s filmmakers, artists and general public have spoken out against their government’s actions and protested against the war.
“We have not done enough to prevent this war, but we do not want it — and will not let it be waged in our name,” says the open letter from the Russian cinematographers.
The invasion of Ukraine has also been decried by the international community, with countries like UK, US and Germany, as well as the European Union levying heavy economic sanctions on Russia.