PODCAST | Chiara Nicoletti interviews Askold Kurov, director of The Trial: The State of Russia vs Oleg Sentsov from the 2017 Lecce European Film Festival.

To listen to the interview, click on the ► icon on the right, just above the picture

After premiering it at the Berlinale 2017, Askold Kurov presents at the European Film Festival in Lecce his documentary The Trial: The State Vs Oleg Sentsov. The film tells the true story of the Ukranian director who was condemned in 2015 to 20 years of prison, accused of planning a terroristic attack against the Russian government. To support Sentsov’s cause and his release, in Lecce the European Film Academy represented by chairwoman Agnieszka Holland and the director Marion Doring accompanied Kurov to present the film to the italian audiences.

The Trial: The State of Russia vs Oleg Sentsov: Oleg Sentsov is a Ukrainian filmmaker, Euromaidan activist and native of Crimea. After the Russian annexation of Crimea, he became an active opponent of the occupation. In May 2014 he was arrested by the Russian security service, charged with planned terrorist attacks and transported to Moscow. After over a year in custody, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison, despite the fact that the testimonies were given under duress and evidence was insufficient. Sentsov never pled guilty. Director Askold Kurov follows the progress of the trial and the attempts of Oleg’s family, friends and lawyers to save him from prison. The notorious case inspired protests around the world: the European Film Academy and many renowned filmmakers such as Pedro Almodovar, Wim Wenders, Agnieszka Holland, Ken Loach, Johnny Depp and others called for Oleg’s release. Kurov’s investigation gradually reveals an absurd and frightening Kafkaesque story about how anyone can become a victim of a ruthless state machine.

For the official page on the festival website click here.