Local authorities in Beijing stopped the screening of the Swiss film “Olga”, which tells the story of a Ukrainian gymnast, at the last minute yesterday. The reason for this was the Corona virus first and then the content of the feature film. The Federal Foreign Office (FDFA) today confirmed to Keystone-ATS information to this effect that was posted on Twitter by a reporter for Le Monde newspaper. The Swiss Embassy immediately protested to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Culture over this unexpected cancellation, according to an FDFA report.
The event organized by the Swiss Embassy
The show was scheduled to take place last November in the framework of the “Month of Francophonie”, on the occasion of a special event of the Swiss Embassy, in a rented cinema for 66 guests, including ten foreign ambassadors. It is a common practice for foreign representations in China, the FDFA asserts. “Olga,” a Franco-Swiss co-production by director Elie Grabbi, tells the story of a 15-year-old gymnast divided between Switzerland, where she trains for the European Championships before the Olympics, and Ukraine, where his mother, a journalist, covers the European Arena in 2013. The film was chosen based on its quality, as well as its theme, which aligns perfectly with this year’s slogan “Beat Yourself,” according to the FDFA. Ambassador Bernardino Rigazzoni has chaired the French-speaking group of ambassadors since January 2021.
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