You're reading: Associated Press: Detention of famous director upsets Russia’s artistic world

Associated Press: Detention of famous director upsets Russia’s artistic world

Published Aug. 23, 2017 at 1:12 pm

(FILES) This file photo taken on May 13, 2016 shows Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov posing during a photocall for the film "Uchenik (The Student)" at the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. Russia's Investigative Committee said on August 22, 2017 that it has detained top theatre and film director Kirill Serebrennikov on suspicion of committing massive fraud. / AFP PHOTO / LOIC VENANCE

Photo by AFP

In a move that sent a shockwave through Russia’s art community, investigators on August 22 detained a prominent theater director famous for his biting satire of Russian officialdom on charges of embezzling $1.1 million.

Kirill Serebrennikov, 47, who has won international acclaim for his productions spanning from drama to opera to movies, has denied the accusations.