28/02/2022 - After last week’s Russian attack, the professional body and the festival shared their support; the former is ready to offer help in implementing protection measures in coordination with the ICFR

The European film industry is ready and willing to support the Ukrainian cause and the local film community. Today, we publish the statements provided by the Federation of European Screen Directors (FERA) and the Berlinale.

In their official communiqué, FERA representatives said: “We stand in full solidarity with the Ukrainian people, with our colleagues, relatives and friends in Ukraine, as well as those opposing the conflict in Russia and Belarus, amidst a dangerous and uncertain situation following the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army. Our network, in coordination with partners such as the International Coalition of Filmmakers at Risk [see the news], remains at their disposal to assist in the implementation of relevant protection and relocation measures according to their needs, as soon as possible. Our community calls on European leaders to deliver on such measures now, but also to heed the call of our Ukrainian colleagues today.”

The communiqué is followed by a collective statement by Ukrainian directors: “Today, Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine. Now, more than ever, we need the help of the international community and anyone who understands that tomorrow, war may be at your door. We’ve been talking about the war in eastern Ukraine in our films for eight years. You watched them at the festivals. But this is not a film, but our reality. And today, this reality has spread throughout our country without exception. Ukrainian filmmakers appeal to you not to be silent and not to stand aside. They are asking for help and certain actions that can help Ukraine regain peace.”

In a press release published last week, the Berlinale team stated: “We – festival workers, artists, filmmakers… – think fondly of our friends in Ukraine, and we are by their side in a call for peace. One week ago, the Berlin International Film Festival was celebrating a complicated, yet successful, edition. Filmmakers, artists and journalists from all over the world gathered in Berlin to enjoy a collective and joyful experience. The feeling of being together again, with no distinctions of nationality, religion or culture, transported us in a way that film festivals can accomplish. While these memories remain fresh, other images have broken into our lives, bringing a darker perspective. The world is on the verge of a huge crisis. As a showcase of the free world, the Berlinale has always placed at its centre the notion of freedom and the will to bridge East and West. Throughout its history, the Berlin International Film Festival has had the opportunity to showcase films relating to Ukrainian history and culture in all sections of the festival – recently, this year’s Klondike [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Maryna Er Gorbach
film profile] by Maryna Er Gorbach and Terykony by Taras Tomenko, Oleh Sentsov’s Numbers [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Oleg Sentsov
film profile] in 2020, back to the films of Kira Muratova and the early shorts of Myroslav Slaboshpytsky, and many more. Films cannot change society or the course of history, but they can help in changing the minds of people. Films tell us that the world is already in too precarious a condition to add even more suffering and destruction.”