Ukraine Protests 'Dau' Film at Venice Festival

Why are people arguing again about the film 'Dau'? The Venice Film Festival has included Ilya Khryazhovsky's film 'Dau' in its competitive program.

Consensus

The film 'Dau' by Ilya Khrezyanovsky was included in the main competition of the 2024 Venice Film Festival.
Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture issued statements opposing the film's inclusion.
The Venice Film Festival refused to remove the film from its program.
Ilya Khrezyanovsky is not a Russian citizen and has been declared an 'agent of foreign influence' by Russian authorities.
Khrezyanovsky has publicly opposed Russia's military aggression against Ukraine since 2014.
The film was produced in coproduction with Germany, France, and Sweden.
The film's artistic director, Alberto Barbera, stated it is not pro-Putin propaganda but an anti-totalitarian work.
Khrezyanovsky served as artistic director of the Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial Center in Kyiv from 2020 to 2023.
The film has previously been associated with ethical controversies, including allegations of abuse on set and use of children in scenes.

Literary critic Anna Narinsky stated that the film does not transmit 'Kremlin narratives' and that it was previously accepted by Ukrainian authorities. — tg_echoonline_news
Narinsky suggested that journalists and filmmakers should question the methods used during the creation of 'Dau'. — tg_echoonline_news
The film was financed by sanctioned Russian businessman Sergey Adonyev. — tg_astrapress
The lead actor, Theodor Kurentsiz, acquired Russian citizenship from Vladimir Putin and built his career using funds from sanctioned banks and state cultural institutions. — tg_astrapress
Khrezyanovsky led a cultural project funded by Kremlin-linked oligarchs. — tg_astrapress
The Ukrainian MFA stated that Russia uses culture to legitimize its presence in territories it seeks to erase. — tg_tvrain
The Ukrainian MFA claimed the film's inclusion sends a 'highly alarming signal' during Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. — tg_tvrain