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HBO has removed Miloš Biković from the cast of the third season of “The White Lotus” following a complaint from the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a move that, according to Biković, “can create a disturbing precedent that overshadows the essence of artistic freedom ”.
“We have decided to part ways with Miloš Biković and the role will be restructured,” an HBO spokesperson said in a statement.
“Today a selective campaign has been unleashed against me,” reads Biković’s response, “apparently as an external maneuver to influence decisions that may create a disturbing precedent that overshadows the essence of artistic freedom. The result of such a narrative is the triumph of the absurd and the defeat of art.”
On January 24, the foreign affairs office made a publication on X (formerly Twitter) saying that the Serbian actor and Russian citizen “has been supporting Russia since the beginning of the large-scale invasion.” The office then directly named HBO and said, “Is it okay for you to work with a person who supports genocide and violates international law?” A video accompanying the post shows Biković receiving a medal of honor from Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018 and calls the actor a “foreign spokesperson for the Kremlin.”
Biković has held Russian citizenship since 2021. In addition to referring to himself as an “active member of Russian society” and attending government-organized discussion panels, he has also collaborated with invasion supporters within the Russian entertainment industry. , like director Nikita. Mikhalkov. According to an interview he gave to the Russian publication Telegraf in 2019, he has been banned from entering Ukraine.
It was announced that Biković would join “The White Lotus” on January 12. His acting credits include the Russian film “Serf” and the Serbian film “South Wind.”
Read Biković’s full statement below.
I grew up in a country devastated by war. At age 11, I endured days and nights in shelters while my homeland and hometown were bombed. And I could never wish such devastation on anyone.
There are more and more active conflicts around the world. Each one is different. Each one is heartbreaking. I wish that all of them would stop and that the principles of love would prevail.
Today a selective campaign has been unleashed against me, apparently as an external maneuver to influence decisions that may create a disturbing precedent that overshadows the essence of artistic freedom. The result of such a narrative is the triumph of the absurd and the defeat of art.
I had the honor of being chosen to be a part of White Lotus, a television series that I hold in high regard and with colleagues whom I deeply respect. However, my participation is not possible for reasons outside the field of art and I will not submit to any narrative that seeks to compromise my integrity.
I would like to thank everyone who was by my side. I wish my colleagues much success in creating the next season.
Regardless of everything, I firmly believe that art can heal. I think it can help humanity unite. My beliefs and dedication to art will remain unchanged.