Cinema Salem To Screen Ukraine Film After Oval Office Confrontation

SALEM, MA — Cinema Salem owner Marshall Strauss told Patch the theater will screen the Oscar-nominated Ukrainian film "Porcelain War" throughout this weekend with a donation from proceeds to go toward supporting the country after the confrontation between President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky during an Oval Office meeting on Friday.

Strauss said he and his wife, theater co-owner Elaine Gerdine, "were appalled by the treatment of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky during his Oval Office meeting" and are screening the film in an effort to demonstrate how "each of us must make clear that Trump and Vance do not speak for us."

"We are playing the Oscar-nominated Ukrainian film 'Porcelain War' this weekend and hope many in our community can see this important documentary of the ongoing tragedy flowing from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We will accelerate our efforts to screen other such films."

A portion of each ticket will go to the film's makers. Cinema Salem will donate its share of ticket revenue from Porcelain War to support Ukraine.

A meeting between Trump and Zelensky, set up to sign a mineral deal to help offset U.S. support of Ukraine during the Russian invasion, devolved on Friday into a public argument between Trump, Vance and Zelensky over the three-year war.

"We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today," Trump said in a statement on social media on Friday. "Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It's amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations.

"I don't want advantage. I want peace. He disrespected the United States of America and its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace."

Many Democrats, including Gov. Maura Healey and U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Salem), joined a chorus of condemnation against the treatment of Zelensky on Friday.

"The way Donald Trump and J.D. Vance treated President Zelensky at the White House was shameful — an embarrassment to America on a global stage," Healey said in a statement on Friday. "Massachusetts will always stand on the side of democracy. We will always stand with our ally Ukraine."

"A truly embarrassing moment for our country," Moulton said. "I know the vast majority of my Republican colleagues agree with me. They're too scared to say it themselves."

In March 2022, Cinema Salem launched Stand with Ukraine through Film by premiering the Ukrainian film, "The Guide."

The community donated $12,000 during that event, attended by Gov. Charlie Baker, U.S. Rep. Moulton, then-Mayor Kim Driscoll, and others.

Immediately thereafter, hundreds of cinemas across the US and in other countries screened the film, raising approximately $150,000 for Ukrainian aid.