Odesa International Film Festival supports imprisoned director Sentsov

Ukrainian film director Oleg Sentsov could not attend the Odesa International Film Festival this year. He is imprisoned in Russia.

But at every film screening in Odesa, organizers reserved a spot for him. That empty seat became a symbol of Ukraine’s support for Sentsov and hope for his release.

Sentsov, 41, was arrested in Crimea in 2014, after Russia invaded and occupied the peninsula. He was later subjected to a deeply flawed trial, sentenced to 20 years, and imprisoned in the frigid Russian north.

Sentsov has been on hunger strike since May 14 demanding that the Russian authorities release all Ukrainian political prisoners.

Both the Ukrainian and international film communities have joined together in support of Sentsov, and visitors to the Odesa film festival are no exception.

Sentsov was previously a regular attendee and presented his films at the festival. Alik Shpilyuk, the program advisor of the festival, describes Sentsov as a friend of the event.

He admits that demonstrations and public speeches may have little influence on Russian president Vladimir Putin, who Shpilyuk believes is the only one who can make a decision on Sentsov’s fate. However, he believes Sentsov’s supporters must continue raising the issue.

“It’s important so that the world doesn’t forget about it,” he told the Kyiv Post. “Because if someone forgets about it, the problem will disappear.”