20 December 2019, 13:05
Sokurov's status reduces his chances of falling victim to pressure after dispute with Kadyrov
The fame of film director Alexander Sokurov, who questioned the right of Ramzan Kadyrov to the title of Hero of Russia, minimizes the likelihood of pressure on him from the Chechen authorities, note experts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot".
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Alexander Sokurov's proposal to review the status of the title of Hero of Russia caused a resonance in Chechnya. Ramzan Kadyrov and Magomed Daudov, the speaker of the Chechen parliament, another Hero of Russia, accused Alexander Sokurov of provocation. On December 12, almost two dozen Chechen scientists and workers of culture signed an angry appeal to Alexander Sokurov. They believe his doubts that Ramzan Kadyrov was worthy of the title Hero of Russia are unreasonable.
On December 10, film director Alexander Sokurov invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to "review the status" of the title of Hero of Russia. The film director noted that both the leader of Chechnya and the Pskov paratroopers killed in a battle with Basaev's militants were awarded the status of Hero of Russia. The Russian President objected that a person who "sided with Russia" deserved the Hero of Russia award. Alexander Sokurov admitted that he was upset by the President Putin's response.
The statement voiced by Alexander Sokurov has provoked a particular resonance, since he is not a politician, but a film director: in a dispute with Ramzan Kadyrov, Alexander Sokurov positions himself as a representative of the art world, and the public also perceives him in similar way, notes Mikhail Roschin, the senior researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS).
The situation with the Alexander Sokurov's statement is unpleasant for the Chechen authorities, but they are unlikely to put pressure on the film director, Mikhail Roschin believes.
The Chechen authorities will not try to put pressure on Alexander Sokurov, agrees Professor Alexei Malashenko, the head of the scientific studies at the "Dialogue of Civilizations" Institute.
"Alexander Sokurov is very well known. When political analysts, scientists, and theologians argue, this is one thing. However, when a very well-known film director argues, the situation is different. [...] Even if they threaten him, they will face problems. If subjected to pressure, Alexander Sokurov will declare it to the society. And what will the Chechen authorities gain? In practice, the Russian art community is ready to respond to challenges," Alexei Malashenko said.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 20, 2019 at 10:45 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Oleg Krasnov Source: CK correspondent
