Unable to leave Russia, director attends Cannes virtually – KIRO 7 News Seattle

CANNES, France – (AP) – Acclaimed Russian filmmaker Kirill Serebrennikov is banned from leaving his homeland, so he’s virtually attending the Cannes Film Festival. Serebrennikov called the red carpet at the premiere of his movie “Petrov’s Flu” on FaceTime and spoke to the media about Zoom on Tuesday.

At the premiere of “Petrov’s Flu” on Monday in Cannes, the 51-year-old director was given a seat. It wasn’t the first time that Serebrennikov had to miss a Cannes premiere. In 2018 he was under house arrest when his film “Leto” made its debut at the festival.

Serebrennikov is no longer under house arrest in Russia, but cannot travel abroad. He was convicted of fraud in 2020 and given a suspended sentence and fine for embezzlement.

The verdict was seen as a success for artistic freedom in Russia – prosecutors had requested a six-year prison sentence in a penal colony – and ended a high-profile, long-term legal battle over Serebrennikov, one of Russia’s most prominent theater and film directors. The case against him was vehemently protested throughout the Russian artistic community and internationally.

On Tuesday, Serebrennikov attended the press conference on “Petrov’s Flu” from afar, while actors and producers performed in person who flanked the monitor. He joked that everyone experienced some version of their isolation during the pandemic.

“My situation has improved a lot,” said Serebrennikov. “The last time, three years ago, there was no television. I wasn’t with you so it’s a lot better today. Everyone got used to this trend. I’ve become a Zoom personality. You are used to zoom and so am I. “

Serebrennikov wrote “Petrov’s Flu” under house arrest, based on the 2018 novel by Alexei Salnikov about a flu epidemic in Russia. The film, which competes for Cannes’ highest award, the Palme d’Or, received rave reviews at the festival.

On the Cannes red carpet, cast members and producers wore badges bearing the director’s photo and initials.

“Yesterday was a double celebration for us. We had the premiere in Cannes with the red carpet, “said Serebrennikov.” But I’m also shooting my next film in the studio. We put up a red carpet where we are filming to support the actors and the team who are in Cannes. “

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