Russian director Alexander Sokurov made unusually harsh criticism of government policy in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a video recording and transcript of a meeting of the Human Rights Council under the President of Russia, published by the Kremlin, DPA reported, BTA reported.
Sokurov, whose film "Faust" since 2011, won the top prize at the Venice Film Festival, criticized the treatment of dissidents, called "foreign agents", and condemned censorship in cinema and literature.
At yesterday's meeting, the famous director said that the authorities impose requirements on creators in cinema and literature that prevent them from realizing creative projects. He added that people are often not explained why they are treated harshly and uncompromisingly.
Sokurov also referred to his own experience, stating that he was not given an explanation why one of his films was banned.
"When I went through these processes during the Soviet regime, I was always explained why my film would not be shown in the Soviet Union," the director said. He called for a continued and calm dialogue between the state and the creative community.
"Every week we watch with anxiety who will be declared a foreign agent," Sokurov said, criticizing the designation as derogatory. According to the transcript, Putin responded that relations between the state and the creative community have always been complicated. He denied that the "foreign agent" designation had serious consequences in Russia.
"The most important thing for us is simply to reveal your sources of funding," Putin said. Russian authorities regularly designate opposition figures, critics and independent organizations as "foreign agents." The Justice Ministry is no longer required to prove that a person or organization has received foreign funding to apply the designation, DPA reported.