Legendary Russian director Alexander Sokurov (“Russian Ark”) is apparently now blaming Cannes for discrimination. Why? He claims the Cannes selection committee apparently didn't accept his student's debut film.
“It’s pure discrimination, her film is brilliant, but no Russian film is being accepted this year under any circumstances, except Serebrennikov, because he's a special case".
Just last week Sokurov apparently declined Cannes' "personal" invitation to screen his new film “Gjirokastra” at the prestigious festival. Sokurov vaguely explained that the film was "too serious to participate at Cannes”.