Lithuanian Director Mantas Kvedaravicius Reportedly Killed in Mariupol While Filming Ukrainian War Doc

Marta Balaga The Ukrainian Institute has issued an official letter to the Cannes Film Festival and French director Michel Hazanavicius asking them to rename his opening night movie “Z,” which the org claims is a pro-war symbol of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.In Russia, “Z” is considered a pro-war symbol that has also been used in pro-Russian demonstrations across Europe. The symbol has recently been adopted by some Russian figures taking part in world events, such as gymnast Ivan Kuliak who, while in Qatar for a World Cup event, sported a “Z” on his chest while standing on a podium next to Ukrainian athlete Illia Kovtun.

pic.twitter.com/rHlnNeHWPMWhen Keilar began to recap the deaths of 6-year-old Sofia and her younger brother Vanyushka, her voice began to waver, and she became more emotional as she described how their uncle listened to the deaths of his niece and nephew on speakerphone.Keilar also described a father who recognized his children’s dead bodies on Twitter because he saw their luggage lying next to them.“The Ukrainian government says nearly 200 children have been killed in this war here so far,” Keilar said. “That is the official count though it is likely a gross underestimate that doesn’t include those killed in places where active fighting is underway, where officials are still working to confirm deaths.”In Mariupol, where Russia bombed a drama theater in which children were sheltering, with the words children clearly written in Russian on the pavement outside, the mayor says 210 children have died as Russia attacks his city.Keilar started to sob when she reported the death of a 6 year-old Ukrainian girl who died in the Russian shelling near her home.“She was wearing unicorn pajamas an ambulance rushed her to the hospital where she died,” Keilar said through tears.Keilar finished her report noting that Russians don’t believe the photographic evidence of dead children.“They do not believe that the pictures of the these kids are real,” she said.

Leo Barraclough International Features EditorSwiss documentary film festival Visions du Réel has opened in Nyon with a homage to Lithuanian director Mantas Kvedaravicius, who was killed while filming in Ukraine last week. The 45 year old, best known for his conflict-zone documentary “Mariupolis,” which was screened at the 2016 edition of the fest and has been added to this year’s lineup, was a festival regular.

Two Russian soldiers have apparently died and several dozen more allegedly became sick after apparently being served poisoned pastries by local Ukrainian citizens.

The Ukrainian Defence Ministry is reporting that Lithuanian film director Mantas Kvedaravicius was killed Saturday in Mariupol, the under seige Ukrainian city and subject of his documentary films.

Thania Garcia There are very few people that can claim to have stamped the collective visual consciousness the way Ukrainian director Tanu Muino has. Her colorful and undeniably memorable iconography is what led her to be nominated alongside Lil Nas X for best music video at the 2022 Grammys for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).”Muino’s career has skyrocketed these past few years, despite the cultural, physical and emotional stagnation caused by the pandemic. The Odessa native has produced some of pop culture’s most notable music videos for big names like Lizzo, Cardi B and, most recently, Harry Styles, for his new single “As It Was.”Muino also recently shot and directed Foals’ “2am” music video in Ukraine earlier this year.

Lise Pedersen While her first feature-length doc “Outside” is having its world premiere in the main competition at the Copenhagen Intl. Documentary Film Festival (CPH:DOX), Ukrainian director Olha Zhurba will be back home.