Canadian film festival cancels screening of propaganda film about Russians at war

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has decided to cancel the screening of the film Russians at War by Russian propagandist Anastasia Trofimova, which whitewashes Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine.

Source: Consul General of Ukraine in Toronto Oleh Nikolenko on Facebook; Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada Yuliia Kovaliv on Facebook; TIFF statement

Quote from Nikolenko: "Ceasing by the Toronto International Film Festival of the screening of Russians at War by a former Russia Today documentary filmmaker is the only right decision.

This project has already done significant damage to the festival's reputation and given Russia a chance to further undermine democracy.

We will continue to fight Russian propaganda in every corner of the world using all peaceful and legal means."

Kovaliv remarked that TIFF had cancelled the screening of the propaganda film Russians at War and expressed disappointment that the festival management had not shown the courage to directly admit its mistake in the reasoning provided.

Quote from TIFF: "Effectively immediately, TIFF is forced to pause the upcoming screenings of Russians at War on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as we have been made aware of significant threats to festival operations and public safety.

While we stand firm on our statement shared yesterday, this decision has been made in order to ensure the safety of all festival guests, staff, and volunteers."

Details: The move has been described by festival organisers as "unprecedented for TIFF".

The organisers claimed that the film could not be considered Russian propaganda in any way and stated that they understood and deeply felt the suffering of the Ukrainian people as a result of Russia's illegal invasion.

In the statement, they also note that the film was to be screened at the festival.

Quote from TIFF: "We believe this film has earned a place in our Festival’s lineup, and we are committed to screening it when it is safe to do so."

Previously: The Toronto International Film Festival decided not to cancel the screening of Russians at War by Russian propagandist Anastasia Trofimova, despite protests and calls not to show the film, which whitewashes Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine.

Background:

• Russians at War was screened at the Venice International Film Festival on 5 September. The director said she had spent seven months with a Russian battalion fighting in Ukraine, and it came as a shock to her to see that they were "absolutely ordinary guys with families and a sense of humour".
• Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has expressed outrage that the Venice Film Festival screened the film.
• The Consulate General of Ukraine in Toronto has also protested against the plans to screen Russians at War at the Toronto International Film Festival.
• Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who has Ukrainian roots, condemned the screening of the film Russians at War at the Toronto International Film Festival.

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