After announcing on Sept. 12 that screenings of the controversial documentary “Russians at War” would be paused due to “significant threats to festival operations and public safety,” the film is set to return to the Toronto International Film Festival’s lineup on Sept. 17. The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
The documentary “Russians at War” has sparked controversy since its debut on the festival circuit, with many accusing it of whitewashing Russian soldiers and their crimes in Ukraine. Canadian-Russian director Anastasia Trofimova has defended the film, calling it “anti-war.” After facing backlash, the Toronto International Film Festival pulled screenings of
"In our view, in no way should this film be considered Russian propaganda," the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) said in a statement.
Canada's publicly-funded broadcaster TVO announced on Sept. 10 that it will not be airing a controversial documentary about Russian soldiers, following protests from the Ukrainian-Canadian community against the film's inclusion in the Toronto International Film Festival.
Canadian government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, have strongly criticized the use of public funds to support a controversial documentary that portrays Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect Canadian broadcaster TVO's statement. TVO has withdrawn support from the documentary "Russians at War" following protests from the Ukranian community. Hot Docs contacted the Kyiv Independent on Sept. 11 to clarify that the 85,000 Canadian dollars was the total sum
After two and a half years of brutal aggression and growing evidence of war crimes committed by Russian soldiers, some people abroad still cling to the hope that the reality of what’s happening in Ukraine isn't as grim as it seems: a nation of nearly 150 million people can’
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