Canadian festival refuses to showcase Russians at War propaganda film
Photo: video screenshot
Following Ukraine's protests, the Toronto International Film Festival has canceled the screening of Russians at War, a film by Russian propagandist Anastasiia Trofimova that whitewashes the Russian occupiers fighting in Ukraine.
This is reported by the Consul General of Ukraine in Toronto, Oleh Nikolenko, and the Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada, Yuliia Kovaliv, and in TIFF's statement.
"The Toronto International Film Festival's suspension of the screening of Russians at War by the former Russia Today documentary director is the only correct decision.
This project has already caused significant damage to the festival's reputation and given Russia a chance to undermine democracy further.
We will continue to fight against Russian propaganda in every corner of the world, using all peaceful and legal means," Nikolenko said.
At the same time, Ukraine's ambassador to Canada, Yuliia Kovaliv, criticized the film festival's statement:
"TIFF cancels the screening of the propaganda film Russia at War. It is a pity that the festival did not dare to admit its deep mistake in its arguments directly."
The film was planned to be shown from September 13 to 15, but the organizers said there were "significant threats to the festival's operation and public safety."
"We have received reports indicating potential activity in the coming days that poses a significant risk; given the seriousness of these issues, we are unable to proceed with the scheduled [screenings]," the film festival's website reads.
However, the organizers emphasized that they did not abandon the previous statement, which advocated "the right of artists and cultural workers to express fair political comments and oppose censorship freely."
"With immediate effect, TIFF has been forced to suspend screenings of Russians at War on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as we have become aware of significant threats to festival operations and public safety.
While we stand by our statement released yesterday, this decision was made to ensure the safety of all festival guests, staff, and volunteers," TIFF said.
The festival organizers called this step "unprecedented for TIFF."
The organizers claim the film "cannot be considered Russian propaganda." They say that they "understand and deeply feel the suffering of the Ukrainian people as a result of the illegal Russian invasion."
In the statement, they also note that this film was supposed to be shown at the festival.
"We believe that this film deserves a place in our festival program, and we are committed to showing it when it is safe to do so," they stated.
As reported earlier, the Toronto International Film Festival decided not to cancel the screening of the Russians at War film by Russian propagandist Anastasiia Trofimova, despite protests and calls not to show the movie, which whitewashes the Russian invaders fighting in Ukraine.
For reference:
The Russians at War film was already shown on September 5 at the Venice International Film Festival. The director said that she spent seven months with a Russian battalion fighting in Ukraine, and it was a shock for her to see that they were "absolutely ordinary guys with families, with a sense of humor."
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielus Landsbergis, expressed indignation that this film was shown at the Venice Film Festival.
The Consulate General of Ukraine in Toronto also protested against plans to show Russians at War at the international film festival.
Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who is of Ukrainian origin, also condemned the screening of the film about Russian soldiers "Russians at War" at the Toronto International Film Festival.
As reported, the Canadian public financial organization and the public broadcaster in the province of Ontario, following the protest of the Congress of Ukrainians in Canada, refused to show Russian director Anastasiia Trofimova's film "Russians at War," which was made with the funds of the Canadian government sent through TVO the day before.
Russia's propaganda on Tiktok and why we shouldn't trust everything we see
Italy cancels permission for Russian propaganda exhibition on occupied Mariupol
EU needs to step up the game in battling russian propaganda — EU official
