Hollywood hits Russia with its own kind of sanctions – except for concerts, film festivals, etc.

As leaders around the world, including President Biden, announced Sanctions on Russia Furthermore A multi-front war on Ukrainemajor players in Hollywood They are taking swift action on their own to condemn President Vladimir Putin’s actions.

Over the past week, musicians, festival organizers and industry leaders have announced their decisions to postpone events in Russia, severely limiting the country’s entertainment offerings.

Musicians press pause

The group “Imagine Dragons” was scheduled to perform in both Russia and Ukraine next June, but revealed at the end of the week of its decision to stop the performances.

Russia invades Ukraine: live updates

A statement on the band’s social media accounts read: “In light of recent events, we are saddened to announce that our shows in Russia and Ukraine have been canceled until further notice. Our thoughts are with Ukraine and all others who are suffering from this needless war.”

Green Day posted a similar statement on their Instagram Story earlier this week.

“It is with a heavy heart in light of the current events that we feel it necessary to cancel our next show in Moscow at Spartak Stadium,” Green Day wrote.

“We know this moment is not about rock performances in stadiums, it’s much bigger than that. But we also know that rock and roll is forever and we feel confident that there will be a time and place for us to come back in the future,” the band continued. “Refunds are available with purchase. Stay safe.”

Louis Tomlinson took to Twitter on Monday to share that tour stops in Moscow and Kiev have been postponed.

“Due to the recent events in Ukraine, I must sadly announce that my tour shows in Moscow and Kiev have been canceled until further notice. Fan safety is my priority and my thoughts go to the people of Ukraine and all who are suffering from this needless war.”

Similarly, indie pop trio AJR said it was sad to announce the cancellation of his upcoming show in Russia and hit Russia’s “criminal behaviour”.

“Thank you to our Russian fans who oppose the unjustified criminal behavior of their country. Our hearts are with the people of Ukraine. At this point, the best thing you can do is share accurate information.”

A representative of the musician told Fox News Digital that Eric Clapton’s shows in Saint Petersburg as well as Moscow “have been canceled and will not be rescheduled.”

The rock band Health also informed fans of their decision to stop performing at two scheduled backs in Russia.

“Although we do not wish to punish our fans for government decisions outside their control, given the current situation, we will not perform our previously scheduled shows in St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Ukraine,” the statement posted on Instagram.

English musician Yungblud has announced that he is “sad” to cancel his Russian shows scheduled for this summer.

“Sadness because I know that the evil and atrocities committed by the Russian regime in Ukraine over the past week do not reflect the attitudes and ideals of the beautiful people I met in Russia in the past!”

Packaged Film and Festival Releases

Cultural reaction against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine It intensified on Tuesday with the Cannes Film Festival in France announcing that no Russian delegations would be welcomed this year.

Meanwhile, the Venice Film Festival said it was organizing free screenings of the film “Reflection” on the conflict in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine as a sign of solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Shows are scheduled for next week in Rome, Milan and Venice.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, presents a medal to Valery Gergiev, artistic director of the Mariinsky Theatre, during an award ceremony in Moscow.
(News agency)

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The announcements from the two major film festivals in Europe came on the heels of other high-profile protests in the arts, including Hollywood’s decision to withdraw films scheduled to be shown in Russia and the Munich Philharmonic sacks conductor Valery Gergiev. The orchestra, joined by other orchestras and festivals associated with Gergiev, signaled his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his refusal to reject the invasion.

Cannes, scheduled for May, is the most international film festival in the world, and its international village of flag-waving pavilions annually hosts more than 80 countries from all over the world.

The festival’s organizers said in a statement that the ban on any official Russian delegation or individuals linked to the Kremlin will continue “unless the war of aggression ends in conditions satisfactory to the Ukrainian people.”

The festival did not rule out accepting films from Russia. In recent years, Cannes has shown films by directors such as Kirill Serebrennikov, although the director was unable to attend. Serebrenkov has been banned from travel for three years after being accused of embezzlement by the Russian government in a case protested by the Russian art community and in Europe.

Satellite image showing a warehouse fire and destroyed fields in Chernihiv, Ukraine, February 28, 2022. Inset: Disney logo.
(Reuters)

after DisneyWarner Bros. and Sony have announced that they will stop distributing films in Russia, including the highly anticipated Warner films “Batman”Paramount Pictures was similarly announced on Tuesday. This includes upcoming releases such as “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” and “The Lost City”.

The European Broadcasting Union announced last week Russia will not be allowed to enter this year’s Eurovision Song Contestto be held in Turin in May.

Maneskin of Italy performs Zitti E Buoni after winning the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final at Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Saturday May 22, 2021. Last week, the European Broadcasting Union announced that Russia would not be allowed to enter this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, Which will be held in Turin in May.
(News agency)

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Leading entertainment companies

Live Nation Entertainment announced Tuesday that it “strongly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

Live Nation announced Tuesday that it will stop doing business with Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine.
(Image illustration by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket)

“We will not promote offers in Russia and will not do business with Russia. We are in the process of reviewing our vendors so that we can stop doing business with any and all suppliers based in Russia,” the company said in a statement.

Several companies, including Google, TikTok, YouTube, DirecTV and Meta, have restricted access to RT America, a state-owned Russian media outlet that the US State Department describes as a critical component of the “Russian disinformation and media system”.

Apple has announced that it will stop selling all of its products in Russia, including iPhone, iPad, Mac and other devices.

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. The technology company has announced that it will stop selling its products in Russia.
(News agency)

“We do everything we can for our teams [in Ukraine] And it will support local humanitarian efforts,” Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted last week.

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Netflix said it would don’t broadcast 20 Russian state television channels that must be broadcast under Russian media laws.

Michael Ruiz of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.