Emir Kusturica Slams Kiev: 'Even Nazis Did Not Do Such Things'

Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica said the 'decision of the Ukrainian authorities to cancel his concert in Kiev was "hardly surprising" and "another display of propaganda" from Kiev.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Culture asked the Interior Ministry and the National Security Council to prevent the award-winning Serbian film director from playing a concert in Kiev over his support of Crimea’s reunification with Russia.

"Even Nazis didn't do such things. This decision is the latest manifestation of propaganda by Kiev authorities. I'm not surprised. They position themselves as democrats, but oppress those who think differently. However, this does not prevent me from making films for Ukraine," he said in an interview with Rossiya-24.

Earlier it was reported that the concert with Kusturica, which had been scheduled for July 28 in Kiev, was canceled. It was dedicated to the millennial anniversary of the death of Prince Vladimir the Great, the Orthodox Saint who brought Christianity to Russia.

Kusturica said at the end of 2014 he planned to shoot a film in Russia's peninsula of Crimea. In April, Kiev also canceled Serbian musician Goran Bregović's concert in Kiev citing his decision to play in Crimea in March.