French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius has joined the team of ambassadors of the United24 fundraising platform founded by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Together with Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina, the filmmaker will be in charge of the "Rebuild Ukraine" direction.
During a meeting at the President's Office on Tuesday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the filmmaker to the United24 team and thanked the ambassadors for helping Ukrainians in difficult times.
"I thank you both for the projects that have already been implemented and for your willingness to support the “Rebuild Ukraine” direction. I know that you have already done a lot. Returning housing to Ukrainians is an important and necessary mission," the Head of State noted.
The ambassadors told Volodymyr Zelenskyy about their visit to Bucha and Irpin in the Kyiv region, which suffered large-scale destruction as a result of Russian aggression. Elina Svitolina and Michel Hazanavicius spoke with residents of the apartment buildings they have taken patronage over.
"We were in Irpin and Bucha today. We walked the streets and saw what happened to these cities and the people who live there. It was very difficult emotionally," said Elina Svitolina.
The titled tennis player also shared her impressions after visiting a maternity hospital where a generator purchased as part of the #LightUpUkraine campaign was installed.
Michel Hazanavicius noted that in Irpin and Bucha he saw the real picture of the appalling events that took place here. But at the same time, he was inspired by the resilience of Ukrainians.
"I was able to look them in the eye - they reflect power and grit," said the filmmaker.
Michel Hazanavicius and Elina Svitolina will support fundraising for the restoration of two apartment buildings in Irpin. The director made the first contribution to the restoration of a high-rise building at 42 Davydchuk Street, destroyed by the Russian occupiers. Elina Svitolina will raise funds to restore a residential complex at 53 Kyivska Street.
In December 2022, Michel Hazanavicius organized a charity auction with lots donated by famous representatives of the film industry: Tom Hanks, Catherine Deneuve, Alain Delon, Natalie Portman, and one of the members of the legendary French electronic duo Daft Punk Thomas Bangalter. The Oscar winner donated part of the funds raised through United24 to restore the house.
As part of the first project of United24 "Rebuild Ukraine" 18 houses will be restored in the Kyiv region: in Irpin, Borodyanka, Hostomel, and the villages of Buzova and Myla in the Dmytrivka territorial community. This will allow more than 4 thousand Ukrainians to return home.
