Demonstration of Solidarity for Ukraine: Extraordinary Showcase on the Festival's Inaugural Day
Cannes Film Festival Keeps Spotlight on Ukraine
Brace yourselves, cinema lovers! The 78th Cannes Film Festival, taking place from May 13 to 24, 2025, is all set to shine a supportive light on Ukraine. During the opening ceremony on May 13, the Festival will display a unique program dedicated to Ukraine, as announced by organizers.
This special day for Ukraine, in collaboration with France Télévisions, Brut, and the city of Cannes, promises an exceptional lineup of three documentaries about the ongoing conflict, screened at the Palais des Festivals. Highlights include a portrait of President Volodymyr Zelensky, a firsthand account of the front line filmed between February and April 2022 by Bernard-Henri Lévy, and a deep-dive into an army unit by a Ukrainian documentary filmmaker.
Speaking about the significance of this event, organizers commented, "This programming reminds us of the Festival de Cannes' dedication to telling the world’s stories through cinema—issues that shape our future. By joining hands, France Télévisions, Brut, and the Festival de Cannes aim to amplify the voices of those who shed light on contemporary realities and keep the truth alive."
The Cannes Film Festival has been an ardent supporter of Ukraine ever since the Russian invasion in 2022. Previously, President Zelensky made a powerful video address from Kiev during the opening ceremony, evoking the spirit of Charlie Chaplin in the face of war. In response, the Festival declared that it would not entertain official Russian representatives, government bodies, or journalists representing the official Russian line as long as the conflict persists.
This year, Ukrainian filmmaker Sergei Loznitsa and Russian exile Kirill Serebrennikov are among the notable competitors. Loznitsa's film, Two Judges, focuses on Stalinist purges and serves as a chilling echo of current events, while Serebrennikov's The Disappearance of Josef Mengele is featured in the Cannes Premiere section.
Although the official Festival de Cannes website does not reveal a cleary-defined "Cannes Film Festival special program for Ukraine", the broader context hints at a significant focus on Ukrainian cinema. For instance, the film Militantropos is set in Ukraine, featuring activist Oxana Chatchko and her thought-provoking protests in 2008, resonating with themes of social justice and resistance.
In conclusion, while the specifics about a dedicated "Cannes Film Festival special program for Ukraine" are less explicit, Ukrainian cinema is visibly represented through films like Militantropos and other contemporary documentaries showcased during events like the 22nd Docudays UA International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival. Despite the lack of clear details in the current public information, it's undeniable that the 78th Cannes Film Festival will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shedding light on the Ukrainian struggle.
- Brut, France Télévisions, and the city of Cannes will collaborate with the 78th Cannnes Film Festival in 2025, showcasing a special program dedicated to Ukraine during the opening ceremony.
- The special program for Ukraine includes three documentaries about the ongoing conflict, such as a portrait of President Volodymyr Zelensky and a deep-dive into an army unit by a Ukrainian documentary filmmaker.
- Henri, a French philosopher and writer, will contribute to the Ukrainian movement by filing a firsthand account of the front line from February to April 2022.
- In addition to the documentaries, Ukrainian cinema will be represented at the 78th Cannes Film Festival through movies like Militantropos, showing activist Oxana Chatchko's thought-provoking protests in Ukraine, and other contemporary documentaries.
