Ilya Khrzhanovsky, the director of the disputed film DAU, said "everyone pays for his own choice" when asked about his lead actor's refusal to speak out against Russia's war in Ukraine, after the film premiered at the Venice film festival.
DAU, which centres on the life of Nobel prize-winning physicist Lev Landau, opened at Venice on Wednesday. The eponymous role is played by Greek-Russian conductor Teodor Currentzis, who has attracted attention both for his casting and for his public stance on the conflict in Ukraine.
Currentzis, a prominent figure in the classical music world turned screen performer for the project, has declined to condemn President Vladimir Putin's military actions in Ukraine, prompting criticism from commentators and public figures in Ukraine. The controversy has accompanied the film's international debut and added a political dimension to its reception.
Khrzhanovsky refused to repudiate Currentzis's position, framing the matter as a personal decision. "Everyone pays for his own choice," he said when questioned about the actor's stance. The director's remarks underscore how artistic projects involving Russian figures have generated scrutiny amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The film's Venice screening drew attention both for its subject matter and for the debate surrounding its principal performer. Beyond the immediate dispute over Currentzis's comments, DAU's release highlights wider tensions in the cultural sphere over engagement with Russian artists since the outbreak of the conflict.