Serbian director Emir Kusturica accuses Cannes Festival of bias

Celebrated Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica has accused the Cannes Film Festival of political bias, claiming that his latest film, On the Milky Road, was rejected due to his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to the director, who has twice received the Cannes Palme d’Or, the film’s submission a day after the official deadline was just an excuse for its rejection. He argues that in previous years this had not been a problem.

“Lately, politics has more and more often interfered with the way the Cannes Film Festival works,” he is quoted as saying by Russian news agency Russian News Service. “I have suspicions that someone gave an order that my film shouldn’t be accepted.”

Earlier this year Kusturica voiced his admiration for Mr Putin, love for Russia and stated his wish to make a Russian-language film.

“I had the idea to make a film about Dostoevsky, I have a million ideas — this is my biggest problem. I must make a Russian film. I love Russia, because I feel I have that blood flowing in my veins,” the filmmaker said.

Source: Hollywood Reporter