Ukraine Director forced to flee Russia makes war 'video diary'

The Ukrainian filmmaker Alexander Rodnyansky was once at the centre of Russia's cultural life.

- Nadia Khomami

The Ukrainian filmmaker Alexander Rodnyansky was once at the centre of Russia's cultural life. For two decades he ran one of Russia's biggest media conglomerates, produced some of the most celebrated films in recent Russian history - including the Oscar nominees Leviathan and Loveless - and helped bring Russian cinema to international prominence.

But since the invasion of Ukraine, Rodnyansky said, he had witnessed a huge shift in Russian cinema. "The most popular genre in Russian cinema today is fairytales," the 64-year-old said. "They adapt all the stories we grew up with. There's no single social drama, no movie reflecting life during the war."

"The only source of financing is the state. If you want to make a movie about the war itself, the only option is propaganda. Movies about 'Nazi Ukrainians' killing decent Russians, about the Russian army entering Ukraine to save the people of Donbas from these fascists and nationalists. It's the most stupid bullshit you can ever see."