Ukrainian Actor Kostyantyn Temlyak Refuses Golden Dzyga Award Amid Abuse Allegations

Kostiantyn Temliak. Facebook

This year’s “Golden Gear” award from the Ukrainian Film Academy was awarded to Kostyantyn Temliak for the best male role in the film “BozheVilni” directed by Denys Tarasov. Immediately after the ceremony, the actor decided to decline the award in connection with public allegations of domestic violence and possible sexual exploitation of a minor.

In the media and cultural circles, the events sparked wide discussion about trust in the prize and the impact of the resonance on future award definitions.

Timeline of events and circumstances

In August, Temliak’s former partner Anastasia Solovyova released evidence of violent behavior: photos of bruises, video recordings, and threatening messages. It also became known that other former girlfriends had a similar experience. Temliak himself admitted guilt and publicly apologized, noting that he had several “mentally unhealthy” relationships.

“Regarding Kostyantyn Temliak, there was no shitstorm among our film academy members – they simply decided calmly. What to do in such cases – I still don’t have a definite understanding, although I lean toward well-considered, but tough methods, because experience has shown that it is more correct than appealing to what, well, is not allowed by the rules”

In September it became known that Anastasia Solovyova was officially recognized as a victim, and materials about other cases were handed over to the police. Temliak remained among the nominees for the award for his role in the film, but after general discussion he decided to decline the award due to the circumstances surrounding his name.

The Film Academy’s position and the future of the awards

According to executive director Anna Machukh, the current regulations do not provide for revoking an award that has already been presented. At the same time, three steps for the future have been proposed: change the regulations regarding withdrawal of nominations and awards; conduct a survey among current film academy members by September 30, 2025; make a final decision based on the results of the vote.

Also on September 30, within the Odessa International Film Festival, a discussion on ethics in cinema with industry representatives and a lawyer representing the victim’s side is planned. The media are covering developments and discussing the impact on the prize’s reputation.

In conclusion, this story underscores the importance of ethics in cinema events and underscores the need for a transparent approach to rewards in the industry. Future steps and regulatory changes should ensure the trust of viewers and participants in the introduced awards.