Venice Film Festival: Ukraine President Zelenskyj sends message

As at the start in Cannes, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj (44) addressed the audience with urgent words at the start of the Venice Film Festival (August 31).

Venice Film Festival: Ukraine President Zelenskyj sends message

As at the start in Cannes, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj (44) addressed the audience with urgent words at the start of the Venice Film Festival (August 31). Via video link he thanked "for the opportunity to talk about our situation here." Then he reminded the festival visitors that a real drama was taking place in his country at the moment - "a horror that isn't 120 minutes long, but has lasted 189 days of war in Ukraine," quotes "Deadline".

There are three mistakes to avoid at all costs: getting used to war, forgetting it or even consciously turning your back on it. "Artists, film directors, producers, actors: [...] Your status is important. Your voice counts. Your word is strong." It is therefore also up to them not to remain "silent" in the matter.

After the powerful speech, this year's jury was introduced by actress Julianne Moore (61), who acts as jury president at the 79th edition of the Venice Film Festival. The opening film was Noah Baumbach's (52) "White Noise", in which Adam Driver (38) and Greta Gerwig (39) have the leading roles. The film festival runs until September 10th.

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