How Belarusians still find hope in a silenced country
The documentary "Letters From the Silenced Country" depicts the ongoing repression under the authoritarian regime. Director Andrei Kutsila talked to DW ahead of the film's Venice premiere.
In 2020, Belarusians took to the streets to protest against the disputed results of the presidential election, hoping for an end to the autocratic rule of Alexander Lukashenko. However, the authorities responded with a campaign of repression that continues to this day, silencing all forms of dissent. Filmmaker Andrei Kutsila directed a new documentary, "Letters from the Silenced Country," co-produced by DW and premiering at the Venice Film Festival on September 9.
Kutsila had to leave Belarus due to the crackdown on free speech. The film depicts the state's system of repression through the stories of individuals who embodied different aspects of the situation, including political prisoners, exiles, and underground activists. One of the protagonists, Vitold Ashurak, was sentenced to five years in prison for participating in the protests.
Another protagonist, Andrei Ostapovich, left his position as a criminal investigator after denouncing the police officers' brutality against protesters. Despite the bleak situation, Kutsila emphasizes the importance of hope, solidarity, connection between people, and love as the only things that can empower and give hope to the people of Belarus.
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