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As world leaders, including President Biden, declare sanctions on Russia over its multi-front war against Ukraine, major Hollywood players are taking swift action of their own to condemn President Vladimir Putin’s actions.
Over the past week, musicians, festival organizers and industry leaders have announced their decision to postpone events in Russia, severely limiting entertainment offerings in the country.
The musicians pause
Imagine Dragons was scheduled to play in both Russia and Ukraine next June, but revealed over the weekend its decision to suspend concerts.
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“In light of recent events, we sadly announce that our concerts in Russia and Ukraine have been canceled until further notice. Our thoughts are with Ukraine and everyone else suffering from this unnecessary war, “the group said in a statement on the group’s social media accounts.
Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee and Daniel Platzman of Imagine Dragons performed live at the PPL Center on February 16, 2022. The band announced that they had canceled concerts due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. (Lisa Lake)
Green Day posted a similar statement in its Instagram Story earlier this week.
“With heavy hearts, in the light of current events, we believe that it is necessary to cancel our upcoming show in Moscow at Spartak Stadium,” Green Day wrote.
“We are aware that this moment is not for the rock shows at the stadium, it is much bigger than that. But we also know that rock’n’roll is forever and we are confident that there will be time and place to return in the future, “the group continued. “Refund is possible at the place of purchase. Be safe.
On Monday, Louis Tomlinson said on Twitter that tours in Moscow and Kyiv had been postponed.
“Due to the recent events in Ukraine, I am sad to announce that my concerts in Moscow and Kyiv have been canceled until further notice. The safety of my fans is my priority and my thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and all those who are suffering from this unnecessary war, “said the former One Direction performer.
Similarly, the indie pop trio AJR said it was sad to announce that its upcoming show in Russia had been canceled and hit on Russia’s “criminal behavior.”
“I thank our Russian fans who oppose the unprovoked and criminal behavior of their country. Our hearts are with the people of Ukraine. At this point, the best thing you can do is share ACCURATE information. ”
Eric Clapton’s shows in St. Petersburg, as well as in Moscow, have also been “canceled and will not be rescheduled,” a spokesman for the musician told Fox News Digital.
Health, a rock band, also informed fans of its decision not to participate in two more planned performances in Russia.
“Although we do not want to punish our fans for government decisions that are beyond their control, given the current state of affairs, we will no longer perform our pre-planned concerts in St. Petersburg and Moscow. “Our thoughts are on the people of Ukraine,” the statement said.
The English musician Jungblud announced that he is “with a broken heart” to cancel his Russian concerts scheduled for this summer.
“With a broken heart, because I know that the vicious and brutal actions of the Russian regime in Ukraine over the past week do not reflect the attitudes and ideals of the beautiful people I have met in Russia in the past!”
Film editions, canned festivals
The cultural response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine intensified on Tuesday after the French Cannes Film Festival said no Russian delegations were welcome this year.
Meanwhile, the Venice Film Festival said it was organizing free screenings of “Reflection” about the conflict in Ukraine’s eastern Donbass region in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Screenings are scheduled for next week in Rome, Milan and Venice.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, presents a medal to Valery Gergiev, then artistic director of the Mariinsky Theater, during an award ceremony in Moscow. (Associated Press)
The two leading European film festivals came after other high-profile art protests, including a decision by Hollywood to suspend films scheduled for release in Russia and a decision by the Munich Philharmonic to fire chief conductor Valery Gergiev. The orchestra, joined by other orchestras and festivals linked to Gergiev, cited his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and refused to reject the invasion.
Scheduled for May, Cannes is the most global of film festivals and its international flagship pavilion village hosts more than 80 countries around the world each year.
In a statement, festival organizers said the ban on any official Russian delegation or Kremlin-linked individuals would remain “unless the war of aggression ends in conditions that will satisfy the Ukrainian people.”
The festival did not rule out the acceptance of films from Russia. In recent years, Cannes has shown films by directors such as Kirill Serebrennikov, although the director failed to attend. Serebrennikov is under a three-year travel ban after being accused of embezzlement by the Russian government in a case protested by the Russian artistic community in Europe.
Satellite image shows a fire in a warehouse and destroyed fields in Chernihiv, Ukraine, February 28, 2022. Inserted: Disney logo.
After Disney, Warner Bros. and Sony have announced they will stop distributing films in Russia, including Warner’s long-awaited “The Batman,” Paramount Pictures also announced Tuesday. This includes upcoming releases such as “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” and “The Lost City”.
Last week, the European Broadcasting Union announced that Russia would not be eligible to participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Turin in May.
Italy’s Maneskin performs Zitti E Buoni after winning the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest at the Ahoy arena in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Last week, the European Broadcasting Union announced that Russia would not be allowed to to take part in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Turin in May. (Associated Press)
Leading entertainment companies
Live Nation Entertainment announced on Tuesday that it “strongly condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”
Live Nation announced on Tuesday that it would stop doing business with Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine. (Photo illustration by Pavlo Gonchar / SOPA Images / LightRocket)
“We will not advertise shows in Russia and we will not do business with Russia. We are in the process of reviewing our suppliers so that we can stop working with all suppliers based in Russia, “the company said in a statement.
Several companies, including Google, TikTok, YouTube, DirecTV and Meta, have restricted access to RT America, Russia’s state-run media, which the US State Department describes as a critical element in Russia’s “disinformation and propaganda ecosystem.”
Apple has announced that it will stop selling all its products in Russia, including iPhone, iPad, Mac and other devices.
Apple CEO Tim Cook. The technology company has announced it will stop selling its products in Russia. (Associated Press)
“We do everything in our power for our teams [in Ukraine] and will support local humanitarian efforts, “tweeted last week Apple CEO Tim Cook.
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Netflix has said it will not broadcast 20 Russian state television channels, which are required to be broadcast under Russian media law.
Michael Ruiz of Fox News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.