Cannes 2022: In his emotional address, Zelenskyy urges filmmakers to confront dictators
Cannes (France), May 18: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an emotional address at the opening ceremony of the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival through a live satellite video address, calling the filmmakers to confront dictators.
The Ukrainian President, dressed in his signature olive green shirt, was streamed live for the formally attired audience who had gathered for the premiere of Michel Hazanavicius' zombie comedy "Final Cut" during the French film festival.
While Zelenskyy drew a thunderous standing ovation at the prestigious film festival, he also spoke at length about the connection between cinema and reality. The Ukrainian leader referenced films like Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now" and Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator", according to The Washington Post.
Quoting Chaplin's final speech in "The Great Dictator," Zelenskyy said, "The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people."
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"We need a new Chaplin who will demonstrate that the cinema of our time is not silent," he further added.
The 75th Cannes film festival has already shown its support for conflict-torn Ukraine as it has barred Russians with ties to the government from attending this year.
Several films from prominent Ukrainian filmmakers, including Sergei Loznitsa's documentary "The Natural History of Destruction" will be screened at the event.
Moreover, footage shot by Lithuanian filmmaker Mantas Kvedaravicius before he was killed in Mariupol in April will also be screened by his fiancee, Hanna Bilobrova.
The 75th Cannes Film Festival commenced on Tuesday, May 17 and will go on till May 28.
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-PTC News
