Protesters Criticize ‘Russia at War’; Director Defends It as ‘Antiwar Film’

By Wa Lone

Ukrainian diplomats and activists in Canada have called on the Toronto International Film Festival to halt further screenings of a documentary that depicts Russian soldiers engaged in conflict in Ukraine, labeling it as “Russian propaganda.”

The documentary, titled "Russians At War," was created by Anastasia Trofimova, a Russian-Canadian director and cinematographer who spent seven months with Russian troops close to the front lines in Ukraine.

This film offers a raw and unfiltered portrayal of the war, featuring soldiers discussing their fears, experiences of death, and hopes amidst the ongoing conflict.

Ukrainian Consul General Oleh Nikolenko criticized the documentary, claiming it attempts to obscure the war crimes committed by the Russian military since the invasion began in 2022. He expressed concern over the festival’s decision to include the film in its program, asserting, “This is highly crafted Russian propaganda.”

Trofimova refuted claims that her work promotes propaganda, arguing that it was produced without the Russian government’s permission, thus placing her in jeopardy of potential legal consequences in Russia. She emphasized that the film, a Canada-France co-production, is antiwar and carries significant risks for everyone involved.

“I unequivocally believe that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is unjustified and illegal, acknowledging the validity of the International Criminal Court’s investigation into war crimes in Ukraine,” she stated.

The documentary received funding from the Canada Media Fund, which is supported by government grants. It made its North American debut at the festival after being screened out of competition at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month.

Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who has Ukrainian heritage, also criticized the film and its placement in the TIFF lineup. During a Liberal Party retreat, she revealed that Ukrainian diplomats and the Ukrainian-Canadian community have expressed serious concerns regarding the film, stating, “It’s not right for public money to support the screening and production of a film like this.”

Freeland emphasized, “We have to be clear that this is a war where there is no moral equivalency. This is a war of Russian aggression.”

In response, TIFF defended its decision to screen the film, arguing it cannot be considered propaganda since it was produced without the knowledge or involvement of Russian government entities. The festival stated, “As a cultural institution, we stand for the right of artists and cultural workers to express fair political commentary freely and oppose censorship.”

Outside the Toronto venue, several protesters gathered to voice their opposition to the festival’s choice not to accede to demands for cancellation.

Olya Glotka, a Ukrainian-Canadian filmmaker involved in organizing the protest, stated that the Canadian government should investigate the film’s funding. “This is not the right time to give voice to individuals who are committing war crimes, killing civilians, and abducting children,” she remarked.