Ukraine freezes release of Russian war movie
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine is freezing the release of a controversial Russian movie depicting a legendary match between Soviet soccer players and Nazi soldiers, saying it could aggravate tensions.
"The Match" is based upon a 1942 game in which top Kiev football players defeated a team of Nazis and, some say, paid for it with their lives.
The movie was set to premiere in Kiev in May, just weeks before Ukraine co-hosts the Euro 2012 soccer championship. But the Ukrainian film agency said Tuesday it will take another month to decide whether to release the movie.
Some officials say the film portrays Ukrainians as Nazi collaborators. They also fear it may stoke anti-German sentiments ahead of the championship.
