Controversy has stirred in Russia over an Oliver Stone-produced documentary on the Ukrainian “Maidan” revolution, Ukraina v ogne (Ukraine on Fire), that aired on national television network REN TV on Monday.
REN TV said there had been unspecified threats, and it has stepped up its security as a result. Asked for details, a representative for REN told The Hollywood Reporter that security at the network’s Moscow office has been ramped up following threats of physical violence, including threats against general director of REN TV Vladimir Tyulin over the airing of the documentary. The rep didn’t provide details on the increased security measures.
Directed by Ukrainian American Igor Lopatenyuk, Ukraine on Fire focuses on the 2013-2014 revolution. Stone was the documentary’s executive producer and also interviewed Russia’s president Vladimir Putin and Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine’s former president ousted in the revolution, for it.
Critics though say the documentary presents a Kremlin-friendly version of the events. “Oliver Stone is Kremlin’s puppet producer,” wrote one critic on Twitter.
Supporters of the revolution tried to prevent the documentary from airing via a petition on Change.org, in which they called it a “provocation” that distorted facts about the events. Over 10,000 people signed the petition.
The film previously screened at this year’s Taormina film festival. There are no known plans for theatrical screenings in Russia or in other countries.
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