Tuesday 17 May 2022 09:16 PM Zelensky quotes from Charlie Chaplin's 1940 film about Hitler at Cannes trends now
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed the Cannes Film Festival and called for the industry to address the ongoing invasion of his country.
During the festival's opening ceremony in the southern French resort town's Palais des Festivals this evening, Zelensky spoke at length about the connection between cinema and reality.
He referenced films including Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now and Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator - which mocked Nazi leader Adolf Hitler - in a surprise video address.
'The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people,' Zelensky said, quoting Chaplin's dictator character.
'And so long as men die, liberty will never perish.'
Zelensky suggested that while Chaplin's film did not destroy 'the real dictator', the cinema industry could say they had not remained quiet during the rise of Hitler.
'We need a new Chaplin to prove today that cinema is not mute. Will cinema keep quiet, or will it speak up? he said.
His address received a standing ovation.
During the festival's opening ceremony in the southern French resort town's Palais des Festivals this evening, Zelensky spoke at length about the connection between cinema and reality
This year's Cannes opened with the premiere of Final Cut, which was renamed from its original title, Z, after Ukrainian protesters noted that the letter Z to some symbolises support for Russia's war in Ukraine.
The war in Ukraine is expected to be a regular presence in Cannes.
The festival has barred Russians with ties to the government.
Set to screen are several films from prominent Ukrainian filmmakers, including Sergei Loznitsa's documentary The Natural History of Destruction.
Footage shot by Lithuanian filmmaker Mantas Kvedaravicius before he was killed in Mariupol in April will also be shown by his fiancee, Hanna Bilobrova.
After last year requiring regular Covid-19 testing and masks in cinemas, and no kisses on the red carpet, Cannes has largely done away with pandemic protocols. Masks are recommended inside but are rarely worn.
'Dear friends, let's come out of this dark together,' said opening ceremony host
