Zelensky's Surprise Appearance at Cannes Film Festival... References Chaplin's 'The Great Dictator'

Appeared at the Opening Ceremony with a Video Speech Following the Grammy Awards
"We Need a New Chaplin to Show That the Film Industry Is Not Silent"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, made a surprise appearance at the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival held in Cannes, France, on the 17th (local time), urging filmmakers to join the anti-war movement.

According to AFP on the day, President Zelensky appeared via video speech at the opening ceremony, saying, "Hundreds of people are dying every day," and asked, "Will the film industry remain silent, or will it raise its voice?" He added, "When a dictator exists and a war for freedom breaks out, everything depends on unity," and questioned, "Can cinema remain outside of that unity?"

President Zelensky then referred to Charlie Chaplin's film The Great Dictator (1940), which mocked Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, highlighting the power of popular cinema. He said, "Chaplin's dictator did not overthrow the real dictator, but thanks to that film, the film industry could not remain silent," and emphasized, "A new Chaplin is needed to prove that the film industry will not stay silent."

The speech received a standing ovation from attendees at the opening ceremony. "War" is a major theme of the 75th Cannes Film Festival, which also includes a special day honoring Ukrainian filmmakers. The documentary Mariupolis 2, dealing with the civil war and directed by Lithuanian director Mantas Kvedaravi?ius, who was reportedly killed by Russian forces in Ukraine last month, will also be specially screened.

At the opening ceremony, actor and peace activist Forest Whitaker was awarded the Honorary Palme d'Or. Vincent Lindon, a French actor and jury president, said in his speech, "The suffering of a world bleeding, suffering, and burning weighs heavily on my conscience."

Earlier, at the Grammy Awards held last month in Las Vegas, USA, Zelensky said, "Our musicians wear bulletproof vests instead of tuxedos. They are singing to the wounded in hospitals," calling for attention and support for the war.