Latest news with #FacingWar
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
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Danish Prime Minister & Former NATO Secretary General Defend Ukraine, Offer Implicit Criticism Of Trump As CPH:DOX Festival Opens
CPH:DOX, the world-class documentary festival in Copenhagen, is underway – kicking off with the world premiere of a film that could not be more timely. Facing War, directed by Tommy Gulliksen, examines the final years of Jens Stoltenberg's 10-year stretch as secretary general of NATO as he confronted Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the prospect of Donald Trump – a tepid supporter of NATO at best – returning to the White House. Stoltenberg attended the premiere along with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, an indication of the importance of the occasion. More from Deadline Together Films Acquires Sales Rights To CPH:DOX-Bound 'Lowland Kids,' About Young Louisiana Climate Refugees Watermelon Pictures Unveils Macklemore-Produced Doc 'The Encampments' Featuring Detained Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Ai Weiwei Title 'Animality' Among World Premieres Set For CPH:DOX - Full Lineup Stoltenberg, who left his post as secretary general last October, is seeing all he worked for — to strengthen the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the face of an expansionist Russia — unravel under the Trump administration. The premiere happened amid reports the administration is considering surrendering a distinction the U.S. has held for the entire 75-year history of NATO – that of appointing a four-star American general as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe (the first to occupy that post was Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower). At a Q&A with Stoltenberg and PM Frederiksen, the former secretary general was asked about those reports. 'I don't know whether those rumors or those reports are correct or not, but I think we need to prepared for the probability that the United States may reduce [its] presence in Europe,' Stoltenberg responded. 'That was something actually President Trump announced the last time he was president and it's part of the message on burden sharing — the Americans feel that the Europeans are doing too little and that they're doing too much in the cost of protecting Europe.' The film shows Stoltenberg's consistent and strong advocacy for Ukraine as it has dealt with a war of annihilation in which Russia has made targeting of civilians a key feature of its war plan. As secretary general he marshalled support for the embattled country and indicated backing for Ukraine's bid to become a member of NATO. But just last month, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ruled out offering NATO membership to Ukraine. Journalist Adam Holm, who moderated the Q&A, asked Stoltenberg about that vital issue. 'We were closer to membership [for Ukraine] a year or two ago than we are now and that's because it's so clearly stated, especially from the United States, that that's not something that they will support,' Stoltenberg said. 'But I will not speculate about how, as I say, long into the future it'll be before we can get Ukraine in. But I will say that at some stage we have to do what actually was alluded to in the film — that we need to provide Ukraine with some kind of security, and the ultimate and the strongest security we can provide Ukraine is NATO membership. So I think that the way actually to end the war in a stable and just way is to actually allow Ukraine into NATO. In the meantime, we need to find something else and that is to arm Ukrainians so they can protect themselves as much as possible.' To general astonishment, Pres. Trump in February blamed Ukraine for its own invasion. And on February 28, the president attacked Ukrainian President Zelenskyy while sitting down with him for an Oval Office photo op and later threw him out of the White House. Trump, his Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Defense Secretary Hegseth have all pressed Ukraine to give up territory in exchange for peace – a position that has been widely criticized as adopting Kremlin talking points. Prime Minister Frederiksen could hardly have articulated a position on Ukraine and Russia more diametrically opposed to Trump's. 'We have to be very clear that this war has never been about Ukraine. It's the biggest mistake that some have put on the table, that this is about Ukraine. This is a war about Russia,' the prime minister told the audience at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. 'Unfortunately, it's a war about a Russia with imperial dreams and a willingness of killing people on their way to achieve the Russian goals on building a big empire again.' Frederiksen added, 'We have to admit that those who are fighting for all of us today — all the Europeans and actually all people around the globe believing in democracy and freedom, our values — they are struggling, they're fighting and they're dying for us. The least thing we can do is to ensure that they are able to defend themselves… We have to remove all red lines to ensure that Ukraine can actually push the Russians back. But I have to say that I believe that if we allow Russia to take Ukraine, they're going to continue, they will continue in Ukraine and they will continue somewhere else in Europe. And that's why this is a very, very fundamental question of do we allow an autocrat in the Kremlin to take decisions in democratic countries? Yes or no? And there can only be one answer to that question: Of course, absolutely, no.' On Tuesday, Pres. Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, securing a promise from Putin to temporarily stop attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities. 'Almost immediately after hanging up, the Russians have been sending missiles and drones and they have been attacking Ukraine all night long,' Frederiksen said. 'That's the result of the phone call [Tuesday]. So, we need to see some changes in Russia, and we need to be able to believe that Russia actually wants peace.' The PM continued, 'I understand why everybody is thinking that peace sounds better than war — and there's nothing that we want more than peace in Ukraine. But a peace made on the premise of Russia and not Ukraine can be more dangerous not only to Ukraine but to all of us. So, therefore, it has to be a peace that we can believe in, just peace, reliable peace, and peace that, of course, respects some of the very, very, very existential values in the modern world of sovereignty, territorial integrity and respect for the international known borders. And that's not where we are at the moment.' The moderator concluded by asking Stoltenberg about the 'diplomatic key to unlock Putin's iron stand.' 'It's strength,' Stoltenberg answered. 'And this idea that either you are in favor of diplomacy or you're in favor of military capabilities — you need military capabilities in order to conduct meaningful diplomacy. It's not either or.' Stoltenberg, who served as Norway's prime minister from 2005-2013, said it would be a mistake to strike an agreement that would see Russia keep its territorial gains in Eastern Ukraine. 'That will not bring peace. That's occupation,' Stoltenberg reasoned. 'The challenge is not actually to end the war, the challenge is to end the war in a way where Ukraine remains as a sovereign, independent nation. And the only way to get there is to convince President Putin that he will not win on the battlefield, he will not get what he wants on the battlefield in Ukraine. And the only way to get there is to arm the Ukrainians. So, the path to peace is weapons to Ukraine. That's the message. That's the reason why this film is important.' Facing War is nominated for CPH:DOX's main prize, the DOX:AWARD, 'recognizing the best and most important new documentaries.' It screens again tonight at the Dagmar Teatret and numerous other times all the way to the festival's closing day on March 30. Best of Deadline Everything We Know About Paramount's 'Regretting You' Adaptation So Far List Of Hollywood & Media Layoffs From Paramount To Warner Bros Discovery To CNN & More Which Colleen Hoover Books Are Becoming Movies? 'Verity,' 'Reminders Of Him' & 'Regretting You' Will Join 'It Ends With Us'
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former NATO Chief to Debate Future of Western Military Alliance With Danish Prime Minister at Copenhagen Documentary Festival
The world premiere of 'Facing War,' the opening film of Copenhagen documentary film festival CPH:DOX, will be followed by a discussion between Jens Stoltenberg, the former NATO secretary general and current Norwegian finance minister – who is the subject of the film – and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The pair will discuss the film and the future of the NATO alliance. The conversation will take place in the Conservatory Concert Hall in Copenhagen on March 19. Both the film and the conversation will be live streamed simultaneously in a large number of cinemas and cultural centers across Denmark. More from Variety NATO Behind-the-Scenes Doc 'Facing War' Boarded by Cat&Docs: 'It's Like a Big Family and Most Families Are Dysfunctional,' Director Says (EXCLUSIVE) 'Coexistence, My Ass!' Shows an Israeli Comic's Hilarious, Heartrending Fight for Middle East Peace: 'There Is Really No Other Alternative' Neil Young's 'Coastal' Tour Documentary Pulls Back the Curtain in Official Trailer 'Facing War,' directed by Tommy Gulliksen, follows Stoltenberg over the course of his last year as NATO secretary general. Originally scheduled to step down in 2023 after nine years in the role, the Norwegian diplomat was persuaded by then U.S. President Joe Biden to stay on for another year in the face of growing divisions between the alliance's member states following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Niklas Engstrøm, artistic director at CPH:DOX, said: 'Europe is facing a security crisis that grows more severe by the day, as European leaders rush from one summit to the next in search of common ground and effective measures. I am therefore grateful that Mette Frederiksen and Jens Stoltenberg have taken the time to visit CPH:DOX to discuss the value of diplomacy in the new world order in light of the festival's opening film 'Facing War.' The two top politicians, with their substantial experience on the global political stage, can give people all over Denmark a unique insight into the diplomatic work and their views on the NATO alliance and the current security situation in Europe.' 'Facing War' is produced by Anne Marte Blindheim and Danielle Turkov Wilson at Dox Division in co-production with NRK, SVT and Think-Film Impact Production with support from Norsk Filminstitutt, Oslo Filmfond, Viken Filmsenter, Fritt Ord, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, Impact Partners, Bergesen-stiftelsen and Fond for lyd og bilde. Read Variety's interview with Gulliksen here. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More What's Coming to Disney+ in March 2025
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NATO Behind-the-Scenes Doc ‘Facing War' Boarded by Cat&Docs: ‘It's Like a Big Family and Most Families Are Dysfunctional,' Director Says (EXCLUSIVE)
At a time when NATO faces an unprecedented crisis threatening its very existence, 'Facing War,' due to open Copenhagen's leading documentary festival CPH:DOX March 19, takes a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the military alliance's war room. The trailer debuts below. Norwegian docu director Tommy Gulliksen, working alone, was allowed exceptional access to the organization's inner sanctum through the current Norwegian finance minister and former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, viewed as 'one of the great diplomatic beacons,' as stated by CPH:DOX. More from Variety 'Coexistence, My Ass!' Shows an Israeli Comic's Hilarious, Heartrending Fight for Middle East Peace: 'There Is Really No Other Alternative' Neil Young's 'Coastal' Tour Documentary Pulls Back the Curtain in Official Trailer Global South, Women Directors Take Center Stage in Visions du Réel Industry Lineup Dubbed the 'Trump-whisperer' by his fellow NATO colleagues for his ability to engage with the U.S. President during the latter's first term in office, Stoltenberg was convinced by former U.S. President Joe Biden in 2023 to extend by a year his nine-year tenure as NATO secretary general to make sure the 32 member states would stay united, in the wake of Russia's war in Ukraine. That period of extreme tension was captured by Gulliksen in a pure vérité style. The 600 hours of raw footage gathered over 22 months was then mixed with archive material and assembled into this 100-minute film. As Stoltenberg tries to stick to his promise made to president Volodymyr Zelensky that NATO will stand by Ukraine 'for as long as it takes,' Gulliksen's camera immerses us in the power play between leaders of this world. Cat&Docs sales outfit which just acquired international rights to 'Facing War,' says 'the film is remarkably timely. It offers rare access to the diplomatic workings of a famous but little-known international institution. And, above all, the documentary highlights a compelling style of leadership, both humane and effective, which contrasts sharply with the recent wave of authoritarian and transactional leaders.' Going back to the genesis of his pic, Gulliksen says the long-time trusting relationship he and his producer Anne Marte Blindheim had with Stoltenberg was crucial in him giving them unprecedented access. A former political commentator, Blindheim had co-directed with Gulliksen the NRK 2017 doc series 'Da vi styrke landet' ('When We Ruled the Country') featuring six Norwegian former heads of state – including Stoltenberg. 'When war in Ukraine broke out, we told Stoltenberg we were interested in covering NATO,' Gulliksen tells Variety. 'We knew getting an independent camera in the war room would be unprecedented and tough to obtain, but we never gave up. Stoltenberg and his NATO staff perhaps felt it was a timely opportunity to document a critical time in the history of the Transatlantic Alliance. At a time of fake news and mistrust in traditional media, they probably saw it as a transparency project. But it was a definite leap of faith for them. We eventually signed an agreement, which was very open and transparent, with astonishingly few restrictions to filming and clearing of the material.' Once he got the go-ahead from NATO, Gulliksen had to face a new challenge: how to make himself as small a fly-on-the-wall as possible. 'The question for me was how can a two-meter fly be invisible!' 'I knew I would have to do everything by myself – sound and camera-work. It was a matter of space, as I would often be in a helicopter or Stoltenberg's private car, but also a matter of security.' BodyguardsIn fact, while the Norwegian politician displayed his art of diplomacy with global leaders, Gulliksen quickly mastered the art of diplomacy with bodyguards. Not only with Stoltenberg's own large security squad, but with other leaders' own close guard. 'These guys are the physical gatekeepers to the heads of states, and when you want to be 15 centimetres from Joe Biden, for instance, you have to know how to interact with them,' Gulliksen says. 'Sometimes they were fine, sometimes they would grab me by the elbow and say you're too close. A lot of times, I had the camera pointing in a direction, but my face would be looking elsewhere at the bodyguards to try get their okay.' About the difficulty of shaping the narrative to make political manoeuvring accessible to a wide audience, Gulliksen says his focus – as with all his cinematic works – was on delivering a 'timeless' document of history in the making. 'I wanted to stay in the moment with the politicians, to make people understand who they actually are, how they think and act.' Eager also to break away from the public display of 'politicians in popularity contests,' the helmer was happy to show another side of the coin: 'Politicians actually working together and negotiating, diplomacy in the making. Being able to capture that on camera has been a privilege that I hope the audience will enjoy as well,' he says. Quizzed about his personal views on Stoltenberg's versatile talent, Gulliksen points to his acute professionalism in preparing for meetings, conferences or public appearances, and his special relationship with words to deliver a speech in the least conflictual way. 'This is a million miles away from the aggressive exchange between Zelensky (who looked like he was ambushed), Trump and J.D. Vance in the Oval Office that shocked the world,' Gulliksen notes. There are no villainsBut the invaluable skill that Stoltenberg applied to NATO's cause, so clearly shown in the film, was his gentle, warm and subtle way of engaging with everyone, whatever their place on the political spectrum, an art of diplomacy he learned at a young age from watching his parents – the prominent diplomat and politician Thorvald Stoltenberg and his wife Karin, also a veteran Labour Party figure in Norway. 'Talking to people is essential, even to people you disagree with – there are no villains,' says an advisor to the former NATO chief in the film, whom we see bringing back to the table Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan as he finally approves Sweden's bid to join the military alliance. 'In a consensus-based political organization such as NATO, you need someone with that acute sense of diplomacy to bring people together around a table, make them put their own agenda aside and find common ground, so that the lowest common denominator is not zero – which would be easy to reach – and you can move forward,' Gulliksen says. Asked to comment on NATO today and tomorrow, the helmer says: 'I want to stay positive. Having approached world leaders at very close range, I've seen the way they interact as human beings. I've tried to portray them as a big family – and let's be honest, most families are dysfunctional! But that's okay. You can have a different history, or a different agenda, you're still part of the family and you have to stick together, which is what NATO nations do. In our democracies, we are allowed to disagree, to fight, to almost break up, but in the end what we share is stronger that what separates us.' Gulliksen says he's now looking forward to the film's world premiere in Copenhagen, to be attended by Stoltenberg. 'It's a true honor, and I'm eager to let the audience see what they've never seen before, so that they can relate better to news coverage about NATO. For a documentary filmmaker, your duty is to reflect on our times. It's also to capture things that aren't normally accessible to people. Here, I was able to do pure cinema vérité, which is rare. We did a few sit-down interviews with Stoltenberg, but there were no directions in any shots, nothing was staged. I believe in letting the audience make up their mind on what they see. If you're pro- or against NATO, it doesn't matter, you will still get something from watching the film. I didn't want to give people any answers but trigger conversations.' Has Stoltenberg seen the film?'Yes! I was in Oslo in his house, sitting between him and his wife. It was a good experience. For any filmmaker, showing your film to your main character is always a bit nerve-racking, a moment of truth. But I believe Stoltenberg saw the value in it. He would perhaps have preferred to have more history in the doc as he's a history nerd, but he liked the film and so did his wife. There were no big issues either with NATO. They never tried to interfere with the storytelling and were only concerned with security issues. I went there to have a sign off to make sure there were no breaches in the material. It was a very straightforward process.' 'Facing War' was produced by Blindheim and Danielle Turkov Wilson for Gulliksen's outfit Dox Division (co-headed with director Tonje Hessen Schei), in co-production with NRK, SVT and Think-Film Impact Production. The film was supported by the Norwegian Film Institute, Oslo Film Fund, Viken Filmsenter, Fritt Ord, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, Impact Partners, the Bergesen Foundation, and the Fund for Sound and Image. The film will compete for CPH:DOX's main prize the €10,000 ($10,700) DOX:Award, to be handed out March 28. CPH:DOX runs March 19-30. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More What's Coming to Disney+ in March 2025
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Facing War,' Documentary on Former NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg, to Open CPH:DOX
Tommy Gulliksen's documentary 'Facing War,' which depicts Jens Stoltenberg's final year as NATO secretary general, has been selected as the opening film of the Copenhagen Intl. Documentary Film Festival, a.k.a. CPH:DOX. The festival runs March 19-30. 'Facing War' will also compete for CPH:DOX's main prize, the DOX:AWARD, which recognizes the best documentary. The film will have its world premiere in the concert hall of the Royal Danish Academy of Music on March 19. More from Variety Corneliu Porumboiu to Be Special Guest at Visions du Réel: His Films 'Cast an Offbeat, Critical Eye on the Changes to Romanian Society' True/False Film Fest Unveils 2025 Lineup Including Eight Sundance Docus (EXCLUSIVE) National Women's Soccer League Sets 2024 Playoffs Docuseries Deal With Prime Video 'In a time when new global political crises are piling up, and the Western world's defense alliance seems to be unraveling, Jens Stoltenberg is regarded as one of the great diplomatic beacons,' the festival commented. Originally, he was set to step down as NATO's secretary general at the end of his term, but with a war in Europe and the prospect of growing divisions among the alliance's member states, the Norwegian top diplomat was persuaded by the then-U.S. president to remain in the position. 'Facing War' offers a look into Stoltenberg's final year as NATO's secretary general. It is a year filled with challenges, as he has promised Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the alliance will stand by Ukraine for as long as necessary. However, fears that the war in Ukraine could spread to the rest of Europe increase tensions among the 32 allied countries, and Stoltenberg must rely on all his diplomatic skills to keep the alliance united. Fortunately, the Norwegian politician is a master of the delicate art of compromise and understands the importance of a well-timed gesture of support. And when negotiating with figures like Recep Erdoğan and Viktor Orbán, it is the small details that can make all the difference. 'We are delighted to kick off this year's festival with the world premiere of such a highly relevant film, which takes us deep behind the diplomatic negotiations and twists that followed—and continue to follow—in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. At a time when the rules-based world order, established after 1945, is under serious pressure, the importance of diplomacy and stable international alliances that have upheld it is as clear as ever,' Niklas Engstrøm, artistic director of CPH:DOX, said. ''Facing War' offers a rare insight into how these alliances, especially when under threat, require leadership and finesse to maintain the necessary stability in an increasingly unpredictable world.' The film will also be streamed to a large number of theaters across Denmark as part of the nationwide project DOX:DANMARK. 'Facing War' is directed by Tommy Gulliksen and produced by Dox Division in co-production with NRK, SVT and Think-Film Impact Production. The film is supported by NFI, Oslo Film Fund, Viken Filmsenter, Fritt Ord, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, Impact Partners, the Bergesen Foundation, and the Fund for Sound and Image. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Facing War:' Jens Stoltenberg Documentary To Open CPH: DOX
Facing War, a documentary about Jens Stoltenberg's final years as NATO Secretary General will open CPH: DOX. The film is directed by Tommy Gulliksen and will be screened as part of the CPH:DOX's main prize and DOX:AWARD competitions. More from Deadline 24 European Film & TV Markets Launch F.A.M.E. Alliance Calling All Documentary Filmmakers: Sandbox Films And CPH:DOX Launching Science Pitch Award - Cash Prize Attached Deadline's Doc Talk Podcast: CPH:DOX Artistic Director Niklas Engstrøm On Taking Copenhagen Festival To No. 1 The film will have its world premiere at the CPH:DOX 2025 opening gala in the concert hall of the Royal Danish Academy of Music on March 19. The film's synopsis reads: Facing War offers a unique look into Jens Stoltenberg's final year as NATO's Secretary General. It is a year filled with challenges, as he has promised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the alliance will stand by Ukraine for as long as necessary. However, fears that the war in Ukraine could spread to the rest of Europe increase tensions among the 32 allied countries, and Stoltenberg must rely on all his diplomatic skills to keep the alliance united. Fortunately, the Norwegian politician is a master of the delicate art of compromise and understands the importance of a well-timed gesture of support. And when negotiating with figures like Recep Erdoğan and Viktor Orbán, it is the small details that can make all the difference. 'We are delighted to kick off this year's festival with the world premiere of such a highly relevant film, which takes us deep behind the diplomatic negotiations and twists that followed—and continue to follow—in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine,' Niklas Engstrøm, Artistic Director of CPH:DOX, said in a statement. 'At a time when the rules-based world order, established after 1945, is under serious pressure, the importance of diplomacy and stable international alliances that have upheld it is as clear as ever. 'Facing War' offers a rare insight into how these alliances, especially when under threat, require leadership and finesse to maintain the necessary stability in an increasingly unpredictable world.' The film is directed by Tommy Gulliksen and produced by Dox Division in co-production with NRK, SVT, and Think-Film Impact Production. The film is supported by NFI, Oslo Film Fund, Viken Filmsenter, Fritt Ord, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, Impact Partners, the Bergesen Foundation, and the Fund for Sound and Image. CPH:DOX runs March 19-30. Best of Deadline The 2025 Oscars: Everything We Know So Far About The Nominations, Ceremony, Date & Host 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery
