Andrey Zvyagintsev

Director Andrei Zvyagintsev gave an interview to film critic Anton Dolin for his YouTube channel “Radio Dolin”. The winner of the Venice and Cannes Film Festivals and Oscar nominee spoke about his stance against military special operation in Ukraine, recovering from a serious illness with the coronavirus, Vladimir Putin and the “cancellation” of Russian culture. Spletnik collected excerpts from the interview.

At the time of the interview, Zvyagintsev was in a wheelchair. The director said that he learned to move again after a severely convoluted coronavirus – he was even put in an artificial coma during his illness. It is now undergoing restoration in Germany.

said Zvyagintsev.

– added the director, who spoke about the onset of the disease.

Andrey Zvyagintsev and Anton Dolin

Zvyagintsev spoke out sharply against the military special operation in Ukraine, admitting that he had been following the news “with tears” for the past two months. The director criticized his colleagues in the field of art, who did not comment on what was happening in Ukraine.

said Zvyagintsev.

Zvyagintsev came to the defense of Russian celebrities, facing charges of treason for leaving the country after the start of special operations.

he took note.

Zvyagintsev also separately supported Maxim Galkin, who had previously been harshly critical of Russia’s actions in Israel. The comedian, along with his wife, Alla Pugacheva, and their children, left shortly after the special operation began, and subsequently faced criticism in Russia.

said Zvyagintsev.

The director also noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin could make a “goodwill gesture”.

– Said the author of the films “Return”, “Leviathan” and “Dislike”.

Zvyagintsev also said that he plans to return to creativity and continue making films, expressing hope that the “cancellation” of Russian culture will not last forever.

said Zvyagintsev.

The first news was shared by blogger Kinomir.