Russians in Paris appropriated Paradzhanov's film Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors: the Ukrainian Embassy protests

At the festival of "Russian film" to be held in Paris and Taverna, they want to show the legendary Ukrainian film Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors by Serhiy Paradzhanov as part of "Russian culture." The event is organized by the Other Russia association, and this year it is dedicated to the late "oppositionist" Alexei Navalny.

The Embassy of Ukraine in France expressed a strong protest over the use of Ukrainian films at the festival of "Russian films." Diplomats consider this a blatant case of cultural appropriation and call on the French authorities to take measures to restore justice, Ukrinform reports.

"Culture continues to be cynically used to legitimize Russian aggression. It is known that for years this festival of "Russian films" has relied on the support of the Russian authorities . Obviously, despite the seemingly formal change of emphasis by the organizers, their methods remain largely unchanged," the embassy commented.

Meanwhile, the organizers of the festival, who are supposedly "good Russians," urge their guests to "discover and rediscover the best of Russian cinema, past and present." It is known that the Russians plan to show Paradzhanov's film under a changed title, "Horses of Fire."

"We believe that even in these troubled times, despite the violence of the current government, it is necessary to continue to protect and promote Russian culture, in particular in the field of cinema," the Russians say in their invitation to the festival.

This situation is an example of how Russia is trying to appropriate Ukrainian culture and history. It is important that the international community is aware of this problem and takes measures to counter it, Ukrainian diplomats emphasize.

What is known about the movie Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors?

– The 1964 film is based on the novel Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors by Ukrainian writer Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyy.

– The film was directed by Serhiy Paradzanov, a prominent Ukrainian film director of Georgian origin.

– Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors is considered one of the masterpieces of world cinema.

– The film was shot in the style of Ukrainian folk art, using traditional costumes, scenery, and music.

– The film has won numerous awards at international film festivals and was banned in the USSR from 1972 to 1988 due to its "nationalistic" nature.

– The film tells the love story of Ivan and Marichka, two young people from a village in the Ukrainian Carpathians. Their love falls victim to cruel customs and family feuds. Ivan dies at the hands of a nymph, and Marichka, unable to bear her grief, throws herself into a whirlpool.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, this is not the first time that Russians have "stolen" Ukrainian films. Last year, for example, they decided to translate the famous Ukrainian film Luxembourg, Luxembourg without permission and upload the clumsy result to pirate resources.

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