The film community for Ukraine and against Putin at the ISA gala

The participants of the Independent Spirit Awards ceremony, including the authors of the Polish film „The Dress” and the director of the Polish Film Institute, Radosław Śmigulski, expressed their solidarity with the Ukrainian nation. The hosts of the ceremony also called for help for Ukrainian refugees. The 37th gala will go down in history thanks to the middle finger with which the film community jointly ‘greeted’ Vladimir Putin.

This year’s festival of independent cinema was overshadowed by the tragic events in Ukraine. The hosts of the gala in Santa Monica referred to the dramatic situation of the inhabitants of this country fleeing the war. – We would like to express our support and solidarity with the people affected by the war in Ukraine and the victims of all armed conflicts in the world – said Nick Offerman. Megan Mullally, who accompanied him on stage, made a special appeal to the Russian leader. – I think we are speaking on behalf of everyone gathered here, hoping for a quick and peaceful solution to this situation. Fu** *** and go home, Putin – this is the most welcome solution that we are all waiting for, said the actress. Offerman from the stage showed his middle finger addressed to the Russian dictator, encouraging the other participants to make a similar gesture. In this way, the crowd of stars „greeted” Vladimir Putin.

The hosts of the gala also appealed to the audience and viewers not to stop there and to engage in real activities, such as fundraising or food for Ukrainian refugees. „We ask that you all support the victims of this senseless and brutal act of aggression as far as possible”, Mullally said from the stage. Radosław Śmigulski, Director of the Polish Film Institute, issued an appeal for solidarity and support for the Ukrainian nation and Ukrainian filmmakers, as well as for the boycott of Russian cinematography, which appeared in the form of an open letter on the Deadline Hollywood industry portal.