No one in Russia will see a Kremlin propaganda film that concocts and justifies the invasion of Ukraine.
“The Witness,” which premiered across Russia on Aug. 17, has topped the box office, playing to empty theaters across the country.
The film, which tells the story of a fictional Belgian violinist who arrives in Kyiv just before the Russian invasion in February 2022, has grossed 14 million rubles, or about $145,000. It cost 200 million rubles, or about $2 million, to make the film.
The feature-length film covers much of the propaganda the Kremlin has used to try to drum up support for the war, including depicting a Ukrainian commander walking around with a copy of “Mein Kampf”, while others pledge allegiance to Adolph Hitler, The Guardian reported.
Vladamir Putin pointedly said Moscow needed to “deny” its neighbors on the eve of the invasion, falsely claiming that Ukraine had been infiltrated by the Nazis.
“The Witness” is reportedly filled with falsehoods used as propaganda by the Kremlin. AP
The film’s protagonist ends up witnessing “inhumane crimes and bloody provocations by Ukrainian nationalists,” according to the film’s premise.
Some moviegoers said they were confused to arrive at an empty theater.
“I’ve seen all the other movies and had a free night, so decided to just watch it,” said Alexei, a moviegoer in Moscow. “When I got to the theater room, I thought the spectacle [had] ended because it was so empty.”
“The Witness,” which premiered across Russia on Aug. 17, has topped the box office, playing to empty theaters across the country. AP
Experts say the film is interesting because it offers more Russian stories – propaganda and war.
“Russians get forced propaganda everywhere they go – on national television, on the streets, in schools and universities,” said Ivan Philippov, creative executive at AR Content, the production company of renowned producer Alexander Rodnyansky.
“Many want to watch a film that allows them to forget for a moment what really happened, to forget the gloom and doom of the news from Ukraine,” he added. “The last thing they want is to be reminded of the war.”
Hundreds of filmmakers, writers, singers and other artists have left Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine, taking with them the country’s creative talent.
“The level and professionalism of artists who decide to stay in Russia and work with the country is low,” said cultural critic Mikhail Kozyrev. “And the audience can feel when a film is made on the order of the state government. It’s just not authentic.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
