Russia boycotts 2023 Oscars because of Ukraine crisis

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Russia boycotts 2023 Oscars because of Ukraine crisis

The decision came about seven months after Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated attacks on Ukraine. Since then, the U.S. has continued to provide military aid to Ukraine.

What Happened: Russia announced it is boycotting the 2023 Oscars, scheduled to be held on March 12, 2023, and airing on ABC, a unit of The Walt Disney Company DIS.

At the most recent Oscars ceremony, attendees observed a moment of silence to show their support for the people of Ukraine.

Pavel Tchoukhrai, head of Russia's Oscar committee, announced his resignation after the boycott was announced, saying the move was a surprise and done behind his back. Russia has had its country blocked from providing movies at several top film festivals because of the invasion of Ukraine.

According to a report from Variety, filmmaker Nikita Mikhalkov said it didn't make sense to send a Russian movie to the Academy Awards for consideration because the U.S. denies it exists. Mikhalkov is a supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mikhalkov resigned from Russia's Oscar committee last month and said he would like to help create an equivalent version of the Oscars for Europe and Asia.

Sending a film to the U.S. would be like sending a film to Germany during World War II to get the prize of the Third Reich, Shakhnazarov said.

The Venice Film Festival launched Ukrainian Day as a way to honor films made in Ukraine and from Ukraine filmmakers.

Russia's Oscar History: Russia has been among the most nominated and awarded country in the Academy Awards Best International Film category. Russia has been nominated 16 times for the award and four times awarded the Oscar since 1968: Russia has been nominated for the award 16 times since 1968.

Russia was the last to be nominated in the category Loveless in 2017 for the film Loveless, a film that won several awards at the Cannes Film Festival.

Russia-born directors, actors, and others have also been nominated for awards in the Best International Film category, along with wins in the Best International Film category.

Several Russian-born film associates have also been nominated in other acting categories and won awards for screenplay and cinematography.