Alexander Rodnyansky: Oscar-Nominated Producer Sentenced to Jail in Russia in Absentia
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Loading... - THOMAS BOURGEOIS
- 24 Oct 2024
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Alexander Rodnyansky, the Ukrainian film producer known for his work on Oscar-nominated films such as Leviathan and Loveless, has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison in absentia by a Moscow court. This sentence was handed down for allegedly spreading "fake" information about the Russian army, a charge that stems from his outspoken criticism of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Born in Kyiv, Rodnyansky has spent much of his career in Russia, where he produced numerous television series and films. Since the onset of the conflict in February 2022, he has been a vocal opponent of the Kremlin's actions, using social media to denounce the invasion. Following a tip-off that his criticisms had put him in danger, he left Russia shortly after the invasion began. In 2022, the Russian Ministry of Justice designated him as a "foreign agent," and in 2023, a Moscow court ordered his arrest in absentia.
On Monday, the Basmanny court in Moscow found Rodnyansky guilty of "spreading knowingly false information about the use of the Russian armed forces." In response to the verdict, he expressed his disagreement, stating that no court could silence him or prevent him from continuing his work in filmmaking. He emphasized his commitment to speaking out against the war, declaring, "No other country in the world recognizes this crime and I don’t either. I will continue to speak out against the invasion on every platform available to me."
Rodnyansky's case is part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Russia, where thousands have been detained, fined, or jailed for opposing the military campaign in Ukraine. This repression has drawn comparisons to the Soviet era, highlighting the risks faced by those who speak out against the government.
Rodnyansky began his career in Ukraine, founding the country's first independent television network in 1995, but he gained greater recognition for his film work in Russia. Over his career, he has produced more than 30 films, four of which have been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film: Chief in Love, Est-Ouest, Leviathan, and Loveless. Notably, Loveless won the jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival, while Leviathan received the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film in 2015, further solidifying Rodnyansky's reputation in the international film community.
