Serbian film about the "crimes of Ukraine" and praise from Vladimir Putin

"Created by our Serbian friends, this film is a documentary record of the tragic developments in Ukraine, which include massive violations of the religious rights and freedom of millions of people, real violations of historical memory and the persecution of the Orthodox Church by the Kiev regime" , is the description that the Russian dictator, Vladimir Putin gave to the Serbian documentary film "People Of Christ - Our Time", in which the controversial director, Emir Kusturica, also participated

Russia's crooked president, Vladimir Putin, has praised a new Serbian film documenting "crimes that Ukraine has committed against innocent civilians," The Daily Star has learned.

According to the British daily, the film entitled "People Of Christ - Our Time", in which the controversial Serbian director Emir Kusturica also has a hand, had its world premiere in Belgrade in September. "A production resembling Nazi propaganda is said to be a documentary recording of the tragic developments in Ukraine," writes this newspaper, citing Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As reported, before the Russian premiere of the film, Putin said: "Created by our Serbian friends, this film is a documentary record of the tragic developments in Ukraine, which include massive violations of the religious rights and freedom of millions of people, real violations of historical memory and the persecution of the Orthodox Church by the Kiev regime". He is quoted as having also spoken about the reactions "to honest depictions of current events". 

The film arrived in Russia at the beginning of this month, but now Putin's message is spreading through the Western media. 

"I know that the world premiere of the film, which was held in Belgrade in September of this year, has evoked a massive public reaction. After all, no one can remain indifferent to the honest depictions of current events, told by priests, writers and poets, teachers, TV presenters and young people from countries as diverse as Serbia, Italy, Russia and Ukraine," it is quoted. he accusing the Western elites as "the real causes of the conflict in Ukraine".

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"It is important to note that a growing number of people around the world are becoming aware of the true causes of the Ukrainian conflict, caused by Western elites. They understand that there is, and never will be, any justification for the crimes committed against innocent civilians, the ethnic and religious cleansing, terrorist attacks and punitive operations organized by the neo-Nazis. It is very important that the film gives us hope and faith that we will be able to face any challenge, if we maintain solidarity and remain committed to the traditional spiritual and moral values ​​that our ancestors have left us", he is quoted as saying.

Vladimir Putin has always insisted that Ukraine unjustly took land that once belonged to Russia. That they stole it. Yet in reality, outside the warped brain of the president nicknamed "Mad Vlad", Ukrainians voted en masse for independence in 1991.

The film "People Of Christ, Our Time" opens with the Russian poet, Vlad Malenko, saying: "I was born in Kiev. And Kiev was stolen from me, along with my homeland. To be more precise, I was ripped open, as the ground was pulled beneath my feet. I was born in Kiev, the cradle of Russia. I was born in Kiev, which saw the birth of the Orthodox people and forgave the great Russian power. I was born in Kiev, where the relics of the greatest Orthodox saints rest. I was born in Kiev, which was taken from me by those who do not see in this holy name more than a geographical term. I was born in Kiev, where today there is no place for those who feel their origin, their name and the burden they carry for the glorious past of their relatives and the shameful presence of foreigners who have occupied this city".

The documentary film "People of Christ - Our Time" is directed and written by Jovan Markovic. Part of the creative team is also the internationally famous director, Emir Kusturica, who at the premiere held in September in Belgrade, stated that "he was very impressed by the story of the author of Kiev, the energy of whose words connect the entire canvas of the film, and in particular the idea that this war was sold to the Ukrainians and they bought it." Kusturica – who is interviewed in the film – is a controversial figure in the region. There are several chapters with Kosovo as well. 

In February 2022, the Serbian director, known for his nationalist approach and as a supporter of Slobodan Milosevic's regime, had accepted the offer of the Minister of Defense of Russia, Sergey Shoigu, to take the position of general director of the Central Army Theater of Russia. The news was announced by the spokeswoman of the Ministry of Defense of Russia, Rosiana Markovska. In quite a few Belgrade media, a news like this is presented as a sign of success for the Serbian director. As it was reported, Kusturica had gladly accepted the offer made to him. "For me, Sergej Shojgu's offer to become the director of that theater is a great honor. The stage of the theater of the Russian army has a great history and tradition", he said. 

In 2013, Kusturica announced that he was writing the script for the film based on Dick Marty's report alleging that the leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army have traded in human organs. Even though the film - at least so far has not been made - his warning at the time caused a stir. From the artistic community in Kosovo, but not only, who requested that he be declared a person "non grata".

And, Kusturica's connections with Russia are long-standing. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in November 2016, decorated him with the "Order of Friendship" for his "outstanding contribution to strengthening friendship between peoples, popularizing the Russian language and culture abroad". He had even warned to shoot the film about Kosovo right there. "It is certain that I will shoot this film in Russia, because I know that I would not be allowed to shoot it in Kosovo. Recently, not even the head of the Office of Serbia for Kosovo can enter there, let alone me," said Kusturica. In October 2012, Kusturica had visited Kosovo, namely Leposaviq, a settlement with a Serbian majority. With his short film "Our Life", he opened the jubilee edition, the tenth in a row, of the "Leposaviq 2012" film festival. Kusturica had said that the Kosovar myth is the one that gives weight and spirit not only to the people of Kosovo, but also to all of Serbia, as he added that he would try to help the Serbian people living in Kosovo.

During the wars in the former Yugoslavia, Emir Kusturica openly turned into a radical Serbian nationalist. He betrayed his homeland, Bosnia, his nation, the Muslims of Bosnia, while still being unwanted in his homeland, Sarajevo. He openly supported Slobodan Milosevic and his regime in the wars in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo and in 2005 he was baptized as Nemanja Kusturica in the "Savina" monastery near Herceg-Novi in ​​Montenegro. Among other things, in February 2008 he was one of the main speakers at the rally held in Belgrade against the independence of Kosovo.

(This text is based on the reporting of the "Daily Star")