Award-winning director Andrey Zvyagintsev labeled 'foreign agent' by Kremlin
Zvyagintsev, one of Russia's most famous contemporary film directors, has lived in exile since 2022. His latest film "Minotaur" has been praised as an anti-war film.
The Russian Justice Ministry added renowned film director Andrey Zvyagintsev to the country's list of "foreign agents" on September 18, alleging that he spread false information about decisions made by Russian public authorities. Zvyagintsev, a prominent contemporary Russian filmmaker, has not yet responded publicly to the news.
Being classified as a "foreign agent" carries significant social repercussions, legal and financial constraints, and a ban on holding public office in Russia. However, Zvyagintsev has been residing in exile in France since 2022. His latest film, "Minotaur," was acclaimed by critics as an anti-war movie and won the Grand Prix at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, serving as the festival's runner-up prize.
The French-produced film was also selected as France's submission for Best International Feature Film at the 2027 Academy Awards. Zvyagintsev's films often delve into the darker aspects of Russian society. His 2014 film, "Leviathan," chronicled a man's battle against corrupt local authorities in a remote Russian coastal town. During his acceptance speech at the Cannes 2026 Film Festival, Zvyagintsev directly addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to end the conflict with Ukraine.
He expressed that "millions of people on both sides of the front line have only one dream — that the countless killings will finally stop." Following his speech, many Ukrainians expressed their anger and disappointment online, criticizing him for not acknowledging the disproportionate suffering of Ukrainians compared to Russians.
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