08/03/2022 - The director of documentary This Rain Will Never Stop has urged the international community to "block Russian cinema" until the aggression is over

Ukraine's Alina Gorlova, director of documentaries No Obvious Signs [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] and This Rain Will Never Stop [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Alina Gorlova
film profile], has sent an open letter addressing the Russian attack on Ukraine and urging to "block Russian cinema" until the aggression is over.

(This is part of a series of open letters about the war that we are receiving from Ukrainian talent - read all of them here).

Her letter:

"Russia has committed a crime. Against Ukraine, against Europe, against the whole world. This crime is the collective responsibility of all citizens of the Russian Federation. Collective responsibility means collective. I call on all film festivals, all foundations, all international institutions to block the cinema from the Russian Federation. We currently have a large number of films in production, including co-productions. This war has called into question our ability to fulfill our obligations to our partners. All of our films that are due out this year are unlikely to be released.

Instead, Russian cinema will be presented to the world. This cannot be allowed. All Russian cinema must be blocked. I insist on the following movie lock markers:
- country of manufacture Russia,
- a Russian director who has lived in Russia for the last two years,
- a Russian director who has not publicly condemned the actions of the Russian authorities for the last 8 years regarding the aggression against Ukraine,
- a Russian director who opposed the blockade of Russian cinema.

I urge you to block Russian cinema until the aggressor takes the following steps:
- complete withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine outside the state corridor, including the liberation of Crimea and Donbas,
- payment of reparations to Ukraine for losses due to the Russian military aggression against Ukraine since 2014
- completion of the investigation into Russia's crimes against Ukraine in Hague.

Until Russia publicly acknowledges the fallacy of its actions or is convicted under all the laws of international law, I consider inadmissible any representation and support of Russian cinema."