As a connoisseur of cinema with a deep appreciation for the power films have to bridge cultural divides and spark meaningful conversations, I find myself captivated by the tumultuous journey of Boris Guts’ “Deaf Lovers.” The film’s removal from Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival’s Standing with Ukraine program, while unfortunate, seems a necessary step given the fervent backlash it has garnered.
The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival has taken down Boris Gutsh’s film “Deaf Lovers” from its “Standing with Ukraine” program following a significant public outcry, as stated by the festival’s director Tiina Lokk.
In a statement, Lokk announced that the Estonia-Serbia co-production, which is set to make its world premiere in Tallinn’s main competition, has been met with criticism from both Ukrainians and Russians. Interestingly, those expressing their disapproval haven’t actually watched the film yet. On Tuesday, Ukraine’s Film Agency requested Tallinn to withdraw the film entirely, but Lokk’s letter suggests that ‘Blind Lovers’ will indeed be screened in the Official Selection Competition.
On a Tuesday update via social media, the Ukrainian group shared: “In light of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the hardships endured by many Ukrainian citizens, it is crucial to prevent cultural avenues from being used as means for movies that distort the truth about Ukrainians.
The Tale of Silent Hearts” follows the contemporary journey of a Ukrainian woman and a Russian man who encounter each other in Istanbul, embarking on an impoverished romantic escapade. As hinted by the title, they are both deaf and share concerns about their future upon returning to their respective homelands.
According to Lokk, her team has verified that the Russian Federation did not participate in producing the film. Interestingly, the scriptwriter Boris Guts departed Russia following the onset of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and ever since, he’s been residing as a refugee in Europe. Furthermore, she emphasizes that Guts has consistently voiced his opposition to the current Russian government and its actions in Ukraine.
Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the city of Tallinn has consistently backed Ukrainian filmmaking endeavors. This year, their program boasts no less than eight films produced or co-produced in Ukraine. In response to the conflict, Tallinn decided not to screen any state-funded films from Russia and Belarus since 2022. Remarkably, they also presented a collection of five Ukrainian projects that were delayed due to the invasion at the Cannes film festival during the same year.
Read the full letter from Tallinn director Tiina Lokk and her team below.
The Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) has consistently shown deep respect and empathy towards Ukraine. In solidarity with the Ukrainian people as they strive for independence, our team has organized charity auctions for three consecutive years at the HÕFF festival. Additionally, we halted screenings of Russian and Belarusian state-funded films in 2022. Notably, we were the pioneers in exhibiting Ukrainian film projects that had been delayed due to war at the world’s largest film festival, Cannes, thereby facilitating their international recognition.
At PÖFF 2024, Ukrainian films continue to hold a significant place in our lineup, and this year is no different. Eight movies that were either produced or co-produced in Ukraine, along with those thematically focused on Ukraine, are included in our selection.
One option is “Deaf Lovers, one of them, has been met with significant criticism, not just by Ukrainians and Russians, but before its release.
It’s important to clarify that the movie is not backed by the Russian Federation. In fact, its creator, Boris Guts, departed Russia following the escalation of the full-scale conflict, and has since lived as a refugee in various European nations, now residing in Serbia. Notably, he has been vocal in his opposition to Russia’s war against Ukraine and the Putin administration.
In the past, Boris Guts’ movie titled Minsk, which portrays the heartbreaking aftermath of Belarus’ 2020 presidential elections, was filmed in Estonia. This project received backing from both the Estonian Film Institute and the Cultural Endowment of Estonia. Unfortunately, Minsk is prohibited in Belarus and Russia, but it was showcased at around 20 international film festivals last year, including PÖFF. On the other hand, Boris Guts’ latest work, Deaf Lovers, is an entirely self-funded production with a limited budget. This movie was filmed in Istanbul using an international crew, and it includes contributions from Estonian writers. Moreover, it is a co-production between Estonian studio Max-Grip.
For years, PÖFF has championed independent perspectives and provided a platform for all filmmakers whose work embodies democratic ideals. This year’s festival showcases Israeli and Palestinian films together, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity. We have also consistently featured films from Russian and Belarusian filmmakers in exile, who challenge the established norms of their home countries, as well as Georgian opposition filmmakers battling against the growing censorship in their nation.
We have removed Deaf Lovers from our Standing with Ukraine programme – in the heat of the moment, it is the only right thing to do. The film will be screening at the Official Selection Competition as planned. We continue to believe that this is an artistically powerful anti-war work that reaches into figurative language. The film tells the story of a Ukrainian girl and a Russian boy who happen to meet in Istanbul. At first there is sympathy between them, but the war in Ukraine brings conflict into their lives, culminating in violence against the girl. The girl refuses to accept violence — she is independent and leaves the boy. The film concludes that love between a Ukrainian girl and a Russian boy has become impossible in a war situation. As the girl says at the end of the film – “Maybe only after 100 years”. One can see here the metaphor of Ukraine leaving the violent Russian Empire.
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that the movie offers thought-provoking content related to some highly relevant topics: namely, the background of the Russian director living in exile, his personal details, and potential uses of the movie as a tool for propaganda.
We invite you to the cinema and look forward to a good discussion afterward. Just keep in mind—while freedom of expression is important, it’s essential to respect others as well. In our discussions, we avoid defamation, and follow the law. If anyone breaks these rules, the organizers of PÖFF are prepared to take action to protect everyone’s rights.
On behalf of the PÖFF team,
Tiina Lokk, Festival Director
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2024-11-13 22:17