Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev stated on Monday that his home country lacks genuine political discourse and freedom of speech. The director, known for works including “Leviathan” and “Loveless,” made the comments during the Rome Film Festival while discussing his latest projects.
Zvyagintsev, whose career has often explored themes of social and political malaise in Russia, told attendees that he currently feels he has no voice within the national conversation. He suggested that the conditions for artistic and political expression in Russia have deteriorated significantly. The director is presenting his recent work, “Minotaur,” as part of the festival’s Grand Public section. His films have frequently drawn international acclaim while facing scrutiny from authorities within Russia for their critical depiction of state institutions.