The co-author of the film is Russian: a scandal in Kyiv at the Molodist film festival - details (photo)

She expressed the opinion that a film made with the participation of a Russian artist should not participate in the Ukrainian festival, even if this artist supports Ukraine on the battlefield. "You can't help with one hand, risking your life, and harm with the other, taking votes away from Ukrainians, as the Russians have been taking them away from us for centuries," the girl explained her position.

Lyudmila emphasized that preference should be given to "Ukrainian artists who serve, who died for Ukraine. " She also noted that "If we don't meet again" is, according to her, the only documentary work about the war included in this year's competition program of "Youth".

The user also mentioned that Verzilov communicates in Russian on social networks, gives an interview to journalist Yury Dudy and is a co-founder of the Mediazona project, which, according to Lyudmila, "publishes news about Russians killed by Ukrainian drones in Belgorod and helps to find the names of neutralized occupiers. " Opinions were divided in the comments under her post.

Some users supported the idea of ​​canceling the screenings scheduled for October 28-29 and urged "not to let Russians into our cultural space. " Others came to Verzilov's defense, stressing that "it is not very appropriate to allow comments" about a person who is fighting for Ukraine. The organizers of the festival responded from the official account of "Youth", noting that "If we never meet again" is not the only film about war in the program, and the scheduled screenings will take place.

It was also emphasized that the tape's participation in the competition was confirmed long before the start of the festival. Representatives promised to release a separate official statement on the situation.

Subsequently, the program director of "Molodosti" Bohdan Zhuk explained that despite the participation of foreign directors, the film was created by a Ukrainian team with great attention and sensitivity to the theme of war - that is why the film was chosen for the world premiere at the festival. He rejected the accusations related to Pyotr Verzilov, noting that he has Canadian citizenship and is fighting on the side of Ukraine.

Zhuk also emphasized that several Ukrainian films about the war are presented in the competition program, so the statement about "depriving Ukrainians of their voice" has no basis. The "October" cinema, which hosts screenings of the festival, also joined the discussion. In their post, the representatives noted that they understand the "sensitivity of this topic" and respect the views of the audience.

The cinema said that it would clarify all the details of the making of the film and later make its own position public. The documentary "If We Never Meet Again" was created by directors Noah Deshe, Beau Willimon and Peter Verzilov. It tells the love story of Tanya and Zenit against the background of war. Noah Desches is a director with experience in Athens and Mexico City, known for The White Shadow, which won the Lion of the Future award at the Venice Film Festival.

Bo Willimon is an American screenwriter and author of the House of Cards series, as well as the Ides of March and Mary Queen of Scots films. Petro Verzilov is a Russian-Canadian artist and former member of the punk band Pussy Riot. In 2023, he declared that he fought at Bakhmut on the side of Ukraine. In Russia, he was sentenced to 8. 5 years in prison for "spreading fakes" about the army.