Its the story of a Ukrainian family whose house is shelled at the onset of the war.
Its an extremely important story because its not about the black and white picture, he says.
Its about ordinary people who happen to be in the most extreme circumstances ever imaginable.
Alexander RodnyanskyAR Content
Like Rodnyansky, Balagov expressed dissenting views on the war and has since fled for exile in California.
But everything we are doing right now is more or less reflecting on real stories.
We never expected this project, unfortunately, to be as relevant as it is today, he says.
Kantemir BalagovCourtesy of HBO
He continues to work with Russian filmmakers and talent like Balagov and is proud to do so.
But these threats havent deterred him.
I have never felt my occupation and function to be more important than it is today.
