The Ukrainian Film Academy has called for a worldwide boycott of Russian movies as Russia continues its invasion. The European film industry has shown its support, with the Cannes and Venice film festivals saying that anybody with connections to the Kremlin will be barred from participating. Hollywood’s major studios are also taking action.
The Batman was supposed to be released in Russian theatres on Friday, according to Warner Brothers. However, WarnerMedia has revealed that it is delaying the premiere of its new superhero film starring Robert Pattinson as the Dark Knight, who battles Gotham City’s enemies, due to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
Morbius, starring Jared Leto as a doctor who transforms into a vampire, will be postponed in Russia by Sony Pictures Entertainment. Similarly, the animated sequels Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and The Lost City, starring Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Brad Pitt, will not be released by Paramount Pictures.
For producer Illia Svidler, the CEO of Ukrainian film distributor Kinolife, the Hollywood boycott of Russia is excellent news.
“People feel it when all the major Hollywood movies aren’t released,” he said from his flat in Dnipro, about a six-hour drive from Kyiv. He’s hunkered down with his wife, their 8-month-old kid, and his parents, and claims they all hide in the toilet when the air raid sirens sound.
The Walt Disney Company has stated that it will give humanitarian relief to Ukrainian refugees in collaboration with its NGO partners. For the time being, Disney will not be releasing any of its theatrical films in Russia, beginning with the Pixar animated picture Turning Red.
Netflix, for one, is said to be halting its Russian original programmes and acquisitions. The streaming service also stated that it does not want to include state-sponsored programming, which is considered propaganda.
According to Svidler, Ukrainian theatres are now closed, and some film studios have become safe havens for families fleeing Russian bombings.
