Ukraine asks Oscars to "review eligibility" of Top Gun: Maverick

This week, The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) published an open letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to "review the eligibility" of the Tom Cruise-starring Top Gun: Maverick, which has earned six Oscar nominations.

The UWC's concerns stem from the allegation that the film was partially funded by Dmitry Rybolovlev, a Russian oligarch who has been sanctioned by Ukraine.

“Hollywood must be vigilant and transparent of Russian money being used to further pro-Kremlin censorship," said the letter, which was addressed to Academy president Janet Yang and members of the board of governors.

The UWC requested that the Academy “explicitly reject films with any direct or indirect investments by Russian oligarchs or other enablers of Russia’s genocidal war on Ukraine”.

An LA Times report recently provided readers a glimpse into the world of film financing, covering a 2022 breach of contract lawsuit between New Republic Pictures and former president and chief content officer Bradley Fischer. The filing alleges that Rybolovlev played a role in funding Top Gun: Maverick and a slate of other major Paramount films.

“There is good reason to believe that his involvement may have led to censorship on behalf of the Kremlin,” said the UWC, noting that, unlike its predecessor, Top Gun: Maverick made no direct reference to Russia. "This is hardly a coincidence,"  said the letter, referring to the box office hit action film - directed by Joseph Kosinski.

The UWC urged the Academy to be cautious of “any attempts to influence Hollywood and American society," calling for "appropriate action" to mitigate the situation. The organisation requested that the films eligibility be reviewed and a “strong statement” be issued at the ceremony condemning the war.

“Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine around the world are grateful to the Academy for its long-standing support of Ukraine,” said the letter, signed by UWC president Paul Grod.

“Together we can make a difference to stop Russia’s war crimes against the Ukrainian people."