Trending Now - Zvyagintsev Urges Putin to Halt Violence in Cannes Acceptance Speech
WHO:
Variety - Andrey Zvyagintsev, exiled Russian director
Deadline - Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
WHAT:
The Moscow Times - Zvyagintsev's film "Minotaur" was the runner-up at the Cannes Film Festival, finishing with the second-place Grand Prix award behind "Fjord" by Romanian director Cristian Mungiu.
The Moscow Times - Zvyagintsev stated, “It is absolutely awful for me to acknowledge what Russia is doing in Ukraine. Before you now, I can tell you that I am ashamed,” during a post-awards press conference.
The Moscow Times - Zvyagintsev mentioned that he did not expect his film to be released in Russia but believed many Russians would watch it on pirated copies or by using VPNs.
Variety - Zvyagintsev accepted the Grand Prix for his film "Minotaur."
Deadline - Zvyagintsev called on Putin to end “the butchery” during his acceptance speech.
Deadline - Zvyagintsev stated, “Millions of people on both sides of the front line dream of only one thing: for the massacres to stop.”
WHERE:
Variety - Cannes, France, at the Cannes Film Festival.
WHEN:
Variety - The speech occurred during the 79th Cannes Film Festival.
WHY:
Variety - Zvyagintsev urged Putin to bring the war to an end, highlighting the ongoing violence.
HOW:
Variety - Zvyagintsev delivered his message directly to Putin during his acceptance speech at the festival.
(UPDATED May 24, 2026 19:18 UTC)
At the Cannes Film Festival, Zvyagintsev's film "Minotaur" earned the second-place Grand Prix award, finishing just behind "Fjord," directed by Cristian Mungiu. During a post-awards press conference, Zvyagintsev expressed his deep shame regarding Russia's actions in Ukraine, stating, “It is absolutely awful for me to acknowledge what Russia is doing in Ukraine.” He also shared that while he did not anticipate his film being released in Russia, he believed many Russians would still find a way to watch it through pirated copies or VPNs.
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(UPDATED May 24, 2026 17:18 UTC)
At the Cannes Film Festival, exiled Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev accepted the Grand Prix for his film "Minotaur" and delivered a powerful message directly to President Putin. During his acceptance speech, Zvyagintsev called on Putin to end “the butchery,” emphasizing that “millions of people on both sides of the front line dream of only one thing: for the massacres to stop.” His remarks highlighted the ongoing violence and urged for an end to the war.