Canadian Film Festival refuses to cancel screening of propaganda film Russians at War

The organizers of the film festival report.

According to TIFF representatives, since this film is a Canadian-French co-production and was funded by Canadian agencies, it cannot be considered Russian propaganda.

“Our understanding is that it was made without the knowledge or participation of any Russian government agencies. In our view, in no way should this film be considered Russian propaganda. While we understand the concerns expressed by many, we believe, like the Venice Film Festival and other international festivals who have programmed the film, that this Canadian documentary merits a place in our selection,” the statement said.

It is noted that the film will premiere in North America later this week, as planned.

“As a cultural institution, we stand for the right of artists and cultural workers to express fair political comment freely and oppose censorship. Because filmmakers, like all artists, work in dynamic engagement with their societies, we believe that our role as curators and presenters of film must stand for an unequivocal defense of artistic expression, and a commitment to provide safe, open spaces to engage, critique and reflect on artists' work,” the statement said.

The organizers of the festival also expressed their solidarity with the Ukrainian people, who are suffering from Russia's illegal invasion.

“As we engage with the art made at this politically charged time, we are guided by the democratic values of freedom of conscience, opinion, expression and peaceful assembly as protected in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for all Canadians including Canadian artists,” the statement reads.

For his part, Consul General of Ukraine in Toronto Oleh Nikolenko expressed his “deep disappointment” with the position of the film festival administration.

“It is crucial not to confuse Russian propaganda with freedom of expression. Ukraine as no one else understands democratic values as we defend them with our lives, but we oppose any manipulation that justifies the selection of this project,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

Nikolenko added that “it is not too late for the Toronto International Film Festival to make the right decision and cancel the remaining screenings of this film.” 

“Do not provide a platform for Russian propaganda - the festival’s reputation is at stake,” the diplomat emphasized.

• The Venice Film Festival's non-competition lineup continues with the screening of the documentary Russians at War by Anastasia Trofimova, who aims to portray Russian soldiers not as "beasts," but as "ordinary people".
• Consul General of Ukraine in Toronto Oleh Nikolenko and Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada Yulia Kovaliv have sharply criticized the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) for its intention to screen the propaganda film Russians at war by Anastasia Trofimova.
• Later, a petition appeared calling for the cancellation of the screening of the propaganda film Russians at War at the Toronto Film Festival.