20 Apr, 2023 18:57

Oscar winner calls for Russia to boycott Academy Awards

Moscow should focus on creating its own Eurasian alternative instead, Nikita Mikhalkov says

There is “no point” in nominating Russian-made movies for an Oscar given the current state of the Academy Awards, believes iconic Russian filmmaker and director of Moscow International Film Festival, Nikita Mikhalkov.

“We see what gets Oscars nowadays, we see how [the award] has changed. Sending in [films] just to keep hope – I personally do not see any point in doing this,” Mikhalkov said during a media briefing on Thursday. The director did not elaborate which Oscar-winning movies exactly he had in mind.

Mikhalkov, who is one of Russia’s most prominent directors and holds an Oscar and two Golden Lions from the Venice film festival, among other awards, suggested Moscow shouldfocus on creating an alternative to the US-based awardsinstead. Namely, Russia shouldspearheadthe creation of aEurasian Academy, the director suggested.

“In a certain sense, it would be a counterbalance to the Oscars. These are the countries of the SCO [Shanghai Co-operation Organization], BRICS.

This would be a very expensive award, which would be given every year in different countries,” Mikhalkov stated.

Mikhalkov has long advocated the idea of creating an alternative to the Oscars, with the idea receiving renewed attention amid the ongoing standoff between Russia and the collective West. The director floated the idea during the first Eurasian Economic Forum last May, stating that only films corresponding to “the ideals that we formulate, and not those movies which destroy the very essence of humanity” would be considered.

https://www.rt.com/pop-culture/575083-oscar-boycott-russia-mikhalkov/

20 Apr, 2023 19:19

EU state bans WW2 victory celebration

Marking the triumph over Nazi Germany would “undermine our values,” Latvian lawmakers said

The Baltic state of Latvia has outlawed any celebrations, this year, of the Soviet Union’s WW2 victory over Nazi Germany. Its capital city, Riga, has been the site of marches honoring the Waffen-SS in recent years.

The parliament in Riga fast-tracked the measure on Thursday, banning rallies, marches, picketing and use of fireworks on May 9 (the traditional day of celebration), unless it is to support Ukraine.

“It is in our interests to prevent events that undermine our values, split society, glorify military aggression and contribute to false coverage of historical events,” said Ieva Brante, chair of the legislature’s human rights commission.

Only activities dedicated to “Europe Day” will be allowed under the new law, which is intended to “protect the interests of state and public security, prevent unrest, protect the health and morals of the population.”

This would allow expressions of solidarity with Ukraine, glorification of the EU, or anything the Latvian government designates as non-threatening to its national interests.

The news did not take Moscow by surprise. Last year, Riga designated May 9 the ‘Day of Remembrance’ for Ukrainian soldiers and civilians and authorized the destruction of monuments to Soviet soldiers.

“Are we talking about the fascist Riga where open Nazism flourishes?”

Andrey Lugovoy, a member of the Russian State Duma, told reporters on Thursday, when asked about the news.“Where every year they hold a ‘parade’ of Latvian Waffen-SS legionnaires, and this year proposed to name a street or a square after them. That Riga?”

“Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, they’re too far gone. These statelets don’t only bite the hand that fed them, but try to defecate in the corners as well,” he added.

The three Baltic states were part of the Russian Empire before declaring independence in 1918, and of the Soviet Union in 1940-41, and again between 1945 and 1991. Upon declaring independence, all three states insisted the Soviet period amounted to illegal occupation, and glorified those who collaborated with Nazi Germany as patriots.

Latvia joined the EU and NATO in 2004, along with its Baltic neighbors.

About a quarter of its 1.8 million residents are Russian-speakers, who often face discrimination.

https://www.rt.com/russia/575092-latvia-ban-victory-day/