Cannes – 23.05.2026: The Russian filmmaker Andrei Zvyagintsev received the Grand Prix at the 79th Cannes Film Festival for his film "Minotaur". In his subsequent thank-you speech, he made a direct appeal to the Russian president Vladimir Putin, who, according to him, is the only one who can end the current hostilities in Ukraine. Zvyagintsev said: "Millions of people on both sides of the front long for the massacre to finally stop. The whole world is waiting for you to end this bloodbath."
"Minotaur" is Zvyagintsev’s first film in nine years and deals with the consequences of war on private life in Russia. At its center is a successful entrepreneur confronted with his wife’s infidelity, while the society around him is characterized by fear, corruption, and the effects of the war.
Since the beginning of the Russian assault war against Ukraine, Zvyagintsev has been living in exile in France. He emphasized in Cannes that returning to Russia is impossible for him because he does not want to make propaganda films glorifying war and patriotism. "I have nothing more to seek there. Making films under these conditions would mean betrayal for me," he explained.
However, the Kremlin rejected the appeal. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian president, stated on Monday that he would not convey Zvyagintsev’s message to Putin and questioned the legitimacy of the director. He criticized that Zvyagintsev did not also condemn the Ukrainian attacks on eastern Ukraine and stated that the filmmaker has "no right" to make such demands.
"Minotaur" is scheduled to be released in French cinemas on October 14, 2026. Despite the political tensions, Zvyagintsev hopes that the film will also be seen in Russia – possibly through informal channels that bypass censorship.
Zvyagintsev’s open condemnation of the war and the use of an international platform such as Cannes highlight the role of art and film as a means of resistance and social commentary. His call for peace joins a series of voices from Russian exiles who worldwide draw attention to the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.
The Kremlin’s rejection shows how tense the relationship between culture and politics remains in Russia and the risks artists face who openly oppose the federal government. Zvyagintsev’s position marks an important contribution to the debate on war, freedom, and responsibility in times of political censorship and asylum.
Sources
- The Moscow Times
- Le Monde