CONTROVERSY: Ongoing Discourse

VENICE ANNOUNCES WORLD PREMIERE OF RUSSIANS AT WAR

“We’ve never backed down from dealing with thorny issues that can cause controversy,” Barbera says. “This year, we’ve got documentaries about both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict” — “Russians at War” from exiled Russian director Anastasia Trofimova and “Songs of Slow Burning Earth” from Ukrainian filmmaker Olha Zhurba." Variety

"#TIFF24 North American Premiere: Anastasia Trofimova’s RUSSIANS AT WAR."

FIRST RUSSIAN LANGUAGE INTERVIEW PUBLISHED IN "PEOPLE OF BAIKAL"

"Of course, I expect that there will be many complaints about me showing Russian soldiers from some humanistic side. I assume this because I worked a lot with foreign journalists in Russia and then read what people wrote to them on social networks from the Ukrainian side or those supporting the Ukrainian side. Journalists were usually reproached for humanizing Russians. But I don’t quite understand – what, do we need to dehumanize?" translated from Russian People of Baikal

DIPLOMATS SHAME TIFF ON SOCIALS

"We believe it is irresponsible for TIFF, one of the world’s most reputable film stages, to be used to disseminate Russian propaganda. We call on the festival to cancel the this film screening." Yulia Kovaliv, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada "Unfortunately, after weeks of intensive communication, the senior management of the festival has not demonstrated a willingness to address our concerns in a satisfactory manner." Oleh Nikolenko, Consul General of Ukraine in Toronto

"Anastasia Trofimova has made a unique film, coming close to Russian soldiers, their sorrows and joys, up close, at the distance of a sisterly embrace. Narratively and visually, this is an outstanding work. In Trofimova’s lens, the soldiers, as she wanted, are not monsters or heroes, but the most ordinary men." - Irina Karpova, Novaya Gazeta Europe (auto-translated from Russian)

THROUGH THE "CANADA-UKRAINE PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP GROUP," UKRAINIAN MPs ADDRESS THEIR CANADIAN COUNTERPARTS

"Ukrainian MPs have called on their Canadian counterparts to prevent the screening of Russian-Canadian director Anastasia Trofimova's propaganda film "Russians at War" at the Toronto International Film Festival." Ukrinform

“As for the atrocities that Russian soldiers have been accused of, a young soldier can’t believe such a thing would be possible. “Why would someone do something like that?” The problem with accepting so much at face value, however, is that the atrocities aren’t just accusations; they are well-documented events. And giving herself the apolitical task of humanizing the ordinary soldier, Trofimova seems unaware that being apolitical isn’t an option in a time of war. The film itself neither challenges its own premise nor gives convincing support for it. The humanizing scenes feel both staged and cliched.” John Beasdale, Next Best Picture

“Trofimova's film is an important document of its time. Now it is out in the world. She herself fears she will never be able to return to Russia. After the premiere in Venice, however, the criticism initially came from the Ukrainian side: the Russians, she said, were perpetrators, not victims.”- Das Erste (auto-translated from German)

STATEMENT REGARDING TVO CANCELLATION

"This bow to political pressure, made by the TVO Board of Directors, not its management, sends a chill across the entire independent filmmaking community in Canada." Producers, Russians at War

"Speaking with reporters Tuesday, Freeland — who is of Ukrainian heritage — noted that both diplomats and the Canadian-Ukrainian community have expressed "grave concerns" about the film Russians at War. "I share those concerns," Freeland said. "It's not right for Canadian public money to be supporting the screening and production of a film like this." CBC

"РОДНЯНСКИЙ о пропаганде под видом документального кино. Фильм «Русские на войне» вызвал скандал"

IN SEEKING TO HUMANIZE RUSSIAN SOLDIERS, ‘RUSSIANS AT WAR’ GLOSSES OVER THEIR ATROCITIES

“In “Russians at War,” Trofimova asserts on camera that “the fog of war is so thick that you can’t see the human stories it’s made of.” Yet through the approach she has taken — which skirts around questions of Ukrainian humanity and suffering, the agency of Russian soldiers and her own documentary process — she is bound to create a film that will do little but thicken the fog of war even further.” Ian Garner, The Moscow Times

"We are dismayed that @tiff_net is planning to screen Anastasia Trofimova’s “russians At War” propaganda film whitewashing russia’s war crimes in Ukraine. Nazi propaganda filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl did the same with “Triumph of the Will” and many other films trying to humanise Nazi German soldiers in the 1930s when the concentration camps were already up and running." SupportUkraine.uk

"Had a phone call with @TIFF_NET CEO Cameron Bailey. I emphasized that we will take all necessary legal actions to combat propaganda. This is not just a matter of reputation of the Festival, this is about the world's right to know the truth about the real criminals in this war." Mykola Tochytskyi, Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications, Ukraine

"TIFF defends decision to screen controversial documentary"

TIFF 2024: Our Review of ‘Russians At War’ and so very much more….

“Here in the west we tend to hold on to a perspective of “good guys” and “bad guys” when it comes to war and conflict. The idea of seeing men and women participating in a war…because they have no choice has become entirely foreign to us; for better or for worse, but that’s exactly what *Russians At War* is about. It’s the profound sadness of the reality that there are men and women who have to endure these horrors pretty much because their country has mandated it on them. It’s tragic on so many levels.” David Voigt, In The Seats

"We need to talk strategy a bit for tomorrow's screening. If Trofimova thinks Toronto is going to embrace her with open arms, let's give her a real welcome she'll remember." - TIFF Protest Organizer

“It serves the purpose of every side in a war to demonize the enemy. But Trofimova has tried, valiantly, to depict the humanity of the enemy, documenting in real time the sobering realities so poignantly rendered in classic movies such as “All Quiet on the Western Front’’ — the German remake of which won four Oscars last year.” Rosie DiManno, Toronto Star

“If Anastasia Trofimova’s film Russians at War is a piece of Kremlin-approved propaganda, as its legions of detractors allege, then whoever approved it should stay well clear of any high windows.” Chris Selley, National Post

"ДОЛИН о фильме "Русские на вoйне", что предсказывали, Апокалипсисе, что будет с драконом, мифах"

La recensione su Russians at War

“If there were, in the film, a greater awareness of what those panoramas depict, a structure would have been derived, a trajectory readable across the 129 minutes, and instead Anastasiya Trofimova is interested, by explicit declaration in the film, in fanning out the articulated variety of visions of the soldiers, and trying to give coherence to individual editing figures to the detriment of the chance to follow human reasoning and the humanist and anti-war reading.” translated from Italian FilmTV

"So, a Russian documentary filmmaker cannot show her film, shot from the Russian side, with an anti-war message at a festival, but a Ukrainian documentary filmmaker can? Of course he can, it's all over the place. Propaganda has long been thriving in the field of culture - both here and there. No one is embarrassed anymore, everyone has understood everything." - Кровавая барыня (auto-translated from Russian)

Konfliktstoff beim Filmfest Toronto: „Heretic“ und „Conclave“ diskutieren den Glauben, „Russians at War“ blickt auf den Krieg.

“"Russians at War" is clearly an anti-war film. Trofimova shows that the Russians being used up in Ukraine are there primarily for financial reasons, that they have to continue fighting without pay after completing their contracts. She shows the impact of propaganda, but also how cynicism and alcohol shape everything. And she demonstrates the continuing enormous influence of the Soviet Union.” translated from German Bert Rebhandl, Frankfurther Allgemeine

““Russians at War” is, despite the controversy surrounding it, an excellent and bracing documentary. Its observational honesty is its great feat, sharing the harrowing experiences of soldiers easily demonized in the West and glossed over by state media at home.” Corey Atad, Toronto Star

“"In emails and phone calls, TIFF staff received hundreds of instances of verbal abuse. Our staff also received threats of violence, including threats of sexual violence. We were horrified, and our staff members were understandably frightened. We also learned of plans to disrupt or stop the screenings. Because last week’s screenings were scheduled at a 14-screen multiplex on some of the festival’s busiest days, we determined that it would be safer not to go ahead with those plans.”” Hollywood Reporter

CENSORING ‘RUSSIANS AT WAR’ IS A TYPICALLY CANADIAN KIND OF COWARDICE

“As others who have seen the film agree, “Russians at War” is a wrenching portrayal of the boredom, confusion, horror and tragedy of combat. It’s the furthest thing from propaganda on behalf of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine you could imagine.” Andrew Phillips, Toronto Star

HAD MS. FREELAND SEEN "RUSSIANS AT WAR"?

“This more or less successful film by a filmmaker whose opinion seems undecided yet ends in a cemetery where many war victims are buried. Over these somber images, the director pronounces this meaningful sentence: " Here lie the ordinary guys on whose bones big policies are made! Russians at War is not a propaganda film, but it is a film that will do nothing to help people understand this stupid war and hasten its end.” translated from French Guy Fournier, Le Journal de Montréal

"Watched "Russians at War" by Trofimova. And, as with the raging Nevzlin Gate, I think that if the Russian FSB or GRU learned to work at such a level, we would all have to give up or drown in the nearest river."

AT WAR WITH RUSSIANS AT WAR

"I can say explicitly, unflinchingly, 100% — whatever other adjectives you want to use — that I have not received any support, any permission or anything of the sort from the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Russian authorities, or any other Russian state organization, including RT Documentary and all its affiliates. I have been doing this film by myself because I understand the dangers involved, and I didn't want to put anybody else in danger." Bug-eyed and Shameless

"The Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) has decided not to screen the Canadian French documentary RUSSIANS AT WAR publicly, due to safety reasons. For the ZFF, the safety of its audience, guests, partners, as well as the staff is the top priority." Zurich Film Festival

UKRAINE CANCELT RUSSISCHEN KRIEGSFILM IN ZÜRICH: REGISSEURIN TROFIMOVA ÜBER IHRE DOKU VON DER FRONT

"It's very scary for me to have people, who just work at festivals, who just want to have the opportunity to show people a story they've never seen, to be threatened." Die Weltwoche

"It’s not my first war. I understand what the stakes are. With this one, with this war, the stakes for me became much higher. I’ve gone far, but maybe not this far. Not for seven months. Not this close. From the beginning, I sat down with myself and said: «There is a possibility that you could be arrested. You could be killed. Or you could be wounded. Are you OK with that?» Of course I’m OK with that." NZZ

"The Security Service of Ukraine has opened a criminal investigation into the case of Anastasia Trofimova, director of the film Russians at War. This was stated by the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, UNN reports . "

"Russians at War", in Venice and elsewhere

“However, not once in the entire film does the director clearly state that it was an unjust invasion; the film may give the impression that the Russians have every right to fight in Ukraine. But – the way Russian soldiers slaughter Ukrainians is not shown anywhere, the emphasis is everywhere on how Russians die. The director-narrator insists that the audience sees what the camera sees, but if her or her characters know nothing about any war events and were not present at them, then their existence can be questioned.” translated from Latvian Elīna Reitere, Kino Rakts

"Join your fellow Ukrainians and protest the showing of the russian propaganda movie "russians at war" in Windsor." - UCC Toronto

Хорошие русские на войне

“”Russians at War" shows what the Russian army really is on the battlefield. That its soldiers have no paws and tails and there is no hellfire burning in their eyes - they are simply people deceived by their state, who cannot even in the trenches under fire clearly explain why they came here to die and kill.” translated from Russian Konstantin Shavlovsky, Kennan Institute blog

DECLINING ITS INVITATION TO APPEAR IN PERSON, DIRECTOR ANASTASIA TROFIMOVA SUBMITS WRITTEN RESPONSE TO CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE

"I believe in documentary as a medium that opposes propaganda. Documentary is about complexity, building bridges between people and faraway worlds. Propaganda is about simplification, dehumanization and censorship, in the name of political slogans. Censorship is what we see is being attempted here, under the guise of protection against Russian interference; disinformation is what we see here under the guise of fighting Russian disinformation." Anastasia Trofimova, Director, Russians at War

EMBASSY PRESSURES ANTENNA TO DROP "RUSSIANS AT WAR"

"Rather than presenting a balanced or objective view, Russians at War equates the aggressor with the victim, ultimately serving as a tool of Russian propaganda. The film distorts the reality of the situation, manipulating public perception in a way that undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty and the immense human cost of this war." Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia

"‘While I understand that the Festival’s organisers have committed to somehow contextualising the film, its showing is inconsistent with both their own professed solidarity with the Ukrainian people and with the NSW Government’s ongoing, steadfast and public support of Ukraine’s fight for democracy (for which I am very grateful),” Mr Myroshynchenko wrote in his letter dated January 29 which was obtained exclusively by The Nightly. “Perhaps, you would consider a public statement distancing the NSW Government from the showing of the film, if it were to proceed.” But a spokesman said it was not a matter for the NSW Government." The Nightly

THE PRODUCERS OF RUSSIANS AT WAR AND TVO REACH A MUTUALLY SATISFACTORY SETTLEMENT OF THEIR DISPUTE AND AGREE NOT TO COMMENT ABOUT THE SETTLEMENT FURTHER

"Olga Boichak, a senior lecturer in digital cultures at the University of Sydney, said: “By humanising the ‘ordinary’ Russian soldiers, the film deliberately obscures the systemic nature of wartime violence against Ukrainian civilians perpetrated by those very soldiers. “Viewers unfamiliar with this context risk falling for a logical fallacy called ‘bothsidesism’, thinking it is impossible to know the truth amidst narratives that directly contradict each other.” Canada’s Globe and Mail, however, last year defended it as an “exceptional documentary” that “in no way glorifies Russia or its army or its war effort”. The Sydney Morning Herald

"Author of "Russians at War" Anastasia Trofimova: "They Are Not Animals" // "Tell Gordeeva""

"What is a NAFO dog? This Dutch peacenik is promoting a screening of “russians at war” in The Netherlands. Time for the find out part. #NAFOfellas#NAFOworks"

"⚠️ Today, Russians at War is being screened at Leiden University — a film that distorts reality, omits Ukrainian voices, and portrays Russian soldiers as victims rather than perpetrators." - ABBA Student Association, Leiden University

"We have learned a lot in the past few days, and we will continue to process and reflect on this event, its impact, and the way we handled it." Leiden University Statement 2, LinkedIn

"The Ukrainian Embassy appealed to the federal government, the government of Flanders, the local authorities of Leuven, the DOCVILLE festival leadership, and the Catholic University of Leuven, urging them to cancel the screening." The New Voice of Ukraine

"The Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Norway is deeply concerned about the scheduled screening on 15 May of the documentary “Russians at War” and urges organizers Oslo Dokumentarkino (The Oslo Documentary Cinema), Stiftelsen Fritt Ord, and VEGA SCENE to cancel it." - Embassy of Ukraine in Norway

A WAR – IMPRESSIONS OF A FILM

"The film makes a great impression on me. The images and the people stay with me. I would like to see it again, but that is not possible. “What have we been watching?” someone who was also there asked. To find out, I am trying to write down the story and the images here. I hope that the power of the images will come across, and that something will become clear about what Trofimova wanted to say. Although it remains my interpretation, and my feeling. The film deserves to be seen by many more people." translated from Dutch Ton Rullmann, Without Weapons

RUSSIANS AT WAR SEES RELEASE–AND DESERVES YOUR CONSIDERATION

"Go into Russians at War with a willingness to wade through the fog and see the bigger picture. By doing so, you’ll find a remarkably courageous feat of documentary filmmaking. The access that Trofimova gets while hunkering down with soldiers is indeed impressive—doubly so that it was captured without authorization or press credentials." Pat Mullen, POV Magazine

DOCUMENTARY ABOUT RUSSIAN ARMY IS DEFINITELY NOT A RECRUITMENT FILM

"And now I'm going to say that it's a valuable documentary that I watched with complete fascination.So, hasn't Trofimova done anything wrong? Absolutely not. The fact that her observational documentary offers little commentary on what we see is a stylistically defensible choice, probably makes the soldiers more loose-lipped, and is part of my fascination with the film. But given the predictable international suspicion of a documentary about the current Russian army, it wouldn't have been out of place to clarify the filmmakers' own position in some way." translated from Dutch KEES Driessen, Filmkrant

REVIEW: DON’T BAN ‘RUSSIANS AT WAR’

"Since the launch of Russia’s war in Ukraine in 2022, there have been several acclaimed nonfiction films, many of them shot on the frontlines of the war. Nearly all of them, starting with the Oscar-winning 20 Days in Mariupol, have focused on Ukraine’s side of the war, often following Ukrainian soldiers and told in a way that’s sympathetic to Ukraine. Now, we have the first film about this war shown internationally, which tells the story of the war from the Russian side." Stephen Silver, National Security Journal

"Watching the film now, when the controversy has died down and everyone has found other excuses to vilify its opponents, it's clear that it has fallen victim to propaganda. And from both sides. To dismiss "Russians at War" as Kremlin propaganda, you'd have to watch it without sound, in sections (only the "war" scenes), and fail to understand that depicting reality doesn't equate to approving of that reality." Diana R. Sherman, Sota (auto-translated from Russian)

"I won't understand those who say "now is not the time". right now is the time. Otherwise, the beaver-eater will live and win.I watched it for a second time. I think this is a great, real documentary" - Татьяна Малкина (auto-translated from Russian)

"Russians at War: An honest portrayal of the people inside Russia’s military"

"Trofimova’s body of work is distinguished by a genuine compassion for the victims of imperialist aggression and war. Her film work has taken her to some of the most devastated regions of the globe, including Syria, the Congo, Iraq and the Balkans, among others. This latest documentary is a serious and candid chronicle of the war seen from inside the ranks of the Russian military." - Lee Parsons, World Socialist Web Site

WELT : You say you are "neutral" and "pacifist." Critics accuse you of relativizing
aggression with this.
Trofimova : I don't downplay aggression. Russia sent troops into Ukraine - that's a
fact. But when people treat war like a sporting event, cheer for "their side," and
celebrate the death of others, then something fundamental has been lost. For me,
pacifism means not participating in this dehumanization. - (De Welt - auto-translated from German)

Ukrainian MEDIA TAKES NOTE

""🎬 This year's @la_Biennale to showcase war in Ukraine from the perspectives of invaders." - United24 Media

ONLINE CONDEMNATION AND SUPPRESSION CAMPAIGN BEGINS IN CRITICAL MASS

"For "Russians at War", Russian-Canadian filmmaker Anastasia Trofimova embedded with a Russian battalion in Ukraine's east, while "Songs of Slow Burning Earth" is a "visual diary" of the war's effect on ordinary Ukrainians, according to Ukrainian filmmaker Olga Zhurba." - France24

"Russians at War is at its core an anti-war film. It is unauthorized by Russian officials and was made at great personal risk to the filmmaker, who was under constant threat of arrest and incarceration for trying to tell an unofficial story. This film shows the increasing disillusionment of Russian soldiers as their experience at the front doesn’t jive with the media lies their families are being told at home.."  - TVO Media Education Group

FILMMAKER STATEMENT

"My hope is that our film can be assessed and discussed based on its scope and not agendas and assumptions beyond its frame, and that ultimately such discussions contribute to the war's end." Anastasia Trofimova, Director, Russians at War

"Appears the director of "russians at war" was working for Canada's french language @iciradiocanada from their Moscow office. She's in this video about Radio Canada closing its Moscow office in June 2022" - Christian Borys

"Da RT ai Red Carpet - Il Documentario 'Russians at War': film di Anastasia Trofimova o propaganda?"

CANADA'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OPINES

"Canadian public money should not be used to support the production or screening of media that attempts to whitewash Russia’s war crimes. Ukrainians are fighting for their sovereignty and for democracy—there can be no moral equivalency in this conflict." Chrystia Freeland, former Deputy Prime Minister, X

TIFF PRESS/INDUSTRY SCREENING

"TIFF on Wednesday defended the film's inclusion, saying it could not be classified as propaganda, having been made "without the knowledge or participation of any Russian government agencies." "As a cultural institution, we stand for the right of artists and cultural workers to express fair political comment freely and oppose censorship," TIFF said in a statement." Reuters

"“There were so many slogans and politics and analytics about the next chess move… but there was no human face. The human face of the war from the Russian side was formed by journalists who’d never seen it, because Russian soldiers almost never spoke to anyone because they’re not really allowed to,” says the director." Deadline

DOCUMENTARY ‘RUSSIANS AT WAR’ SPARKS PROTEST, HEATED DEBATE IN TORONTO

"“Because of the geopolitical climate that exists, these guys [Russian soldiers] just wanted to share with someone. Yes, I went there and no one else has,” she explains. Her comments follow the Ukrainian-Canadian community protesting the Toronto Film Festival giving Trofimova’s film a North American premiere on Friday after a world premiere in Venice." The Hollywood Reporter

"Documentary Organization of Canada profoundly alarmed by TVO decision to withdraw support for the documentary “Russians at War.” - DOC

WHITEWASHING RUSSIAN SOLDIERS IS AN INSULT TO THE UKRAINIAN VICTIMS OF THEIR INVASION

“Ms. Trofimova has called the invasion “unjustified” and “illegal.” But if she believes that, she should give her footage to Ukrainian prosecutors and The Hague, which should convict not only Vladimir Putin and his entourage, but also the ordinary Russians who did the actual killing. And if those soldiers really want the war to end, they should lay down their arms and leave Ukraine.” Lidiia Karpenko, The Globe and Mail

"Outrage has erupted over a film created by Russian Director and propagandist Anastasia Trofimova, called ‘Russians at War’."

The only “propaganda” this documentary serves up is an anti-war message that should be delivered as far and wide as possible. The experience of watching the film has something in common with war: you can’t wait for it to be over. It is excruciating. It is extraordinary. Marsha Lederman, The Globe and Mail

TIFF ISSUES A NEWS ALERT ANNOUNCING A "PAUSE" OF ITS RUSSIANS AT WAR SCREENINGS

"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." Toronto International Film Festival

"Our priority as producers, through this production, has been the safety and security of our courageous director, Anastasia Trofimova, despite her steadfast acceptance of these risks to make her documentary. We had assumed those risks would originate within Russia, not Canada." Producers, Russians at War

"An emergent NAFO campaign, triggered by TIFF's announcement of RUSSIANS AT WAR several weeks ago, endorsed and amplified by Canadian politicians, validated and incited the material hostility and direct threats leading to TIFF's pause of its RaW screenings."

What's NAFO?

CANADIAN TAXPAYERS FUNDED RUSSIA PROPAGANDA

"Forget about any Russian propaganda in the United States being pushed by American influencers though a connection to a woman who used to live in Canada, this is direct funding of Russian propaganda by Canadian taxpayers." Brian Lilley, Toronto Sun

RKS 2024 Film: “Russians at War”: The Russians are Coming The Russians are Coming!

“What is the conclusion to be drawn once the film credits roll? The Russian troops are frightened or numbed out. They are demoralized after they are hammered by the Ukrainian forces. Comparisons to “Platoon” and “All Quiet on the Western Front” can be drawn here. Mismanaged grunts quickly realizing the brutality of war minimized and glorified of course by Russian politicians and the media.” Robert K Stephen, Set The Bar

Russians at War, les trouffions de Poutine

“With a classic yet effective formula; with sometimes shocking but necessary images, and above all with access otherwise impossible for Western media, *Russians at War* is a particularly effective anti-war film. It's impossible, throughout the viewing, not to be angry at the soldiers, yes, but also at their bloodthirsty and power-hungry leaders who started a completely unnecessary war. A must-see. In such a context, censorship is frankly absurd.” translated from French Hugo Prévost, Pieuvre, September 15

TIFF Dispatch 4: The Final Days, Winners and Controversy

“It doesn't occur to Tromifova that there's a reason why members of the press get credentials and a special status in warzones. And when the soldiers give her one of their uniforms to wear and "blend in," she doesn't consider the implications of putting the uniform on. This is reckless behavior from Tromifova, one that sidesteps all ethical considerations in the pursuit of some idea of truth.” C.J. Prince, Edge Media Network

"The UCC asks that authorities investigate whether Sec. 318 of the Criminal Code (advocating genocide) has been violated with regard to the screening of the film Russians At War." Ukrainian Canadian Congress

UKRAINE'S MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS ADDS ANASTASIA TROFIMOVA TO "A LIST OF INDIVIDUALS POSING A THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY."

"Anastasia Trofimova became the 233rd on the list of persons who pose a threat to the national security of Ukraine, published on the website of the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine" - Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications, Ukraine

TIFF 2024: War on Film

“In watching this film, it became apparent that this type of war is what happens when there is no access to free press and information as we know to be the case in Russia. No one can put into words why the war is necessary in a way that makes sense. There is a point in the film when one person says, “it is slavs killing slavs.” No killing of fellow humans is justified when we, at our most basic, comprehend that average citizens always lose when governments take to arms for the sake of power over ‘the other.’” Hye’s Musing, September 17

CANADIAN MP JAMES BEZAN PUTS FORTH PETITION TO HOUSE OF COMMONS

"The petitioners are calling upon the Government of Canada to get back all of the taxpayers' money, the $345,000, that went to the film's producer, Ms. Trofimova, who was employed by Russia Today in the past, which is sanctioned by the Government of Canada. She used those monies to bring out this misinformation campaign." James Bezan, MP, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB

"After seeing it myself, I find it hard to call it outright Russian propaganda. It's anti-war, but doesn't make any bold statements about why the war happened, who is right/wrong, etc."

"We write to you with profound concern regarding the Board’s sudden and unlawful decision to terminate TVO's commitment to air the Documentary. This decision represents a clear violation of the filmmakers' rights, not only under the broadcast agreement but also in terms of the broader principles of fairness, editorial independence, and respect for artistic integrity. Furthermore, the damage caused by this decision extends beyond mere contractual breach, encompassing significant reputational and financial harm to the filmmakers, as well as a chilling effect on free and open discourse." Playback

film review: Russians at War

"To call this documentary propaganda is to be deaf and blind." Allan Tong, Chino Kino

"Met with #ZFF Artistic Director @ChristianJungen today. Urged @zurichfilmfest to ban the screening of 'Russians at War' to avoid being weaponised by Russian propaganda. Evil should be stopped and punished, not justified." - Iryna Venediktova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Swiss Confederation and Liechtenstein

"We appreciate the Zurich Film Festival’s decision to cancel public screenings of “Russians at War” – there should be #NoStageForRussia and no chance for its voices to whitewash crimes in front of the broad public." -MFA of Ukraine

THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND NATIONAL SECURITY (SECU) CONVENES FOR 1ST SESSION RE: “RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE AND DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGNS IN CANADA.”

"I think it's scandalous that Canadian taxpayer money funded this production, and we call for a full investigation as to what she said on her application. Did she disclose that she worked for RT? Of course, RT has scrubbed any reference to her from its website. They understand that it's a liability now. However, we need to understand whether the Canadian funding agencies knew that she was a former employee—she produced 11 films for them—and whether they knew that she was entering sovereign Ukrainian territory with an invading army that is committing war crimes." Alexandra Chyczij, President, Ukrainian Canadian Congress

FOLLOWING DIRECT PRESSURE FROM THE UKRAINIAN AMBASSADOR TO GREECE, AND OTHERS, THE ATHENS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CANCELS ITS RUSSIANS AT WAR SCREENINGS, FILM REMAINS IN COMPETITION

"The decision to cancel the public screenings was made for the safety of both the audience and the festival staff. However, the documentary will remain in the Documentary Competition Section of the Festival and will compete for the Golden Athena award alongside the other competing films, emphasizing the choice of the AIFF to include it in this year's program from the start." Athens International Film Festival

"The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) opened an investigation of Anastasia Trofimova, the Russian director of the documentary Russians at War, said Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, head of the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech, on Oct. 7." The Kyiv Independent

MAMI: MUMBAI FILM FESTIVAL NOTIFIES PRODUCERS THAT IT HAS BEEN FORCED TO CANCEL PUBLIC SCREENINGS FOR RUSSIANS AT WAR AND NO OTHER LAND DUE TO A LAST-MINUTE DENIAL, WITHOUT EXPLANATION, OF THE CENSOR BOARD PERMISSIONS

"Sources say that both No Other Land and Russians at War were likely flagged for their politically sensitive content by the MIB. India’s stance to the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine may have something to do with it." The Wire

WINDSOR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS RUSSIANS AT WAR, ONE OF TEN FILMS NOMINATED FOR WIFF PRIZE IN CANADIAN FILM | FILMMAKERS OF INTERCEPTED WITHDRAW IN PROTEST

"In an emailed statement to the Star on Wednesday, a spokesperson for WIFF wrote “we are proud to be screening quality, challenging films that our discerning audience can choose to engage with, criticize, and ultimately reflect upon what the filmmakers are saying. That choice is entirely in the hands of our audience. “We hope that all films at WIFF generate meaningful, critical and intelligent discussion in an environment that is safe, respectful and civil. WIFF’s founder has guided us with a single quote since our inception — ‘The end of the film is the beginning of the conversation’.” Windsor Star

"The Windsor Star has learned the makers of "Intercepted" pulled their film because WIFF is also presenting Russians at War, which some Ukrainians and other critics call pro-Russian propaganda." Windsor Star

""NAFO has further demonstrated its influence by helping suspend the screening of “Russians at War,” a pro-Russian documentary by ex-RT employee Anastasia Trofimova, in Canada.""

"The question remains why Russians at War was initially selected by IDFA, before all the fuss broke out. After all, the selection is a careful process and evidence of "strong appreciation," as evidenced by IDFA's invitation to the Russians at War team . That was "naiveté," says Nyrabia." - NRC

TEN SOLD-OUT SCREENINGS OF RUSSIANS AT WAR, AND A DISCUSSION PANEL, ARE PRESENTED AT THE BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL

"We note with concern that more and more people around the world are choosing culture as their battlefield. Instead of dialogue and a search for solutions, there are conflicts and misunderstandings, deals and threats, as well as the harming of others under political pressure, be they people, creations or feelings. Like many other innocent people, representatives of culture, institutions and those who try to keep it alive are under attack, be they theatres like Mariupol, directors or festivals around the world, who are threatened and put under political pressure, causing, or even forcing independent professionals to give up their work dedicated to culture and society." BIDF Statement

"NO RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA IN AUSTRALIA! @antennafestival must cancel “russians at war” propaganda that humanises INVADERS, hides 150,000+ registered war crimes in Ukraine. Film’s Director calls russian soldiers ‘Heroes’! PUBLIC FUNDS are used! @ScreenAustralia@RSL_Australia" - Australia Voice for Ukraine

“We urge the Antenna Documentary Film Festival to reconsider its decision. To ‘balance’ this narrative with a suggested post-screening discussion is deeply inadequate and offensive — damage will already be done by the film’s amoral stance." Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations

"Protest at the Randwick Ritz cinema against the second showing of the Antenna Documentary Film Festival's "Russians at war" film." - Ukrainians in Sydney

"Vertoner @UtopieNL of a documentary banned by film festivals is under heavy pressure from a political lobby that labels the film as 'propaganda' and therefore believes it should not be shown. But isn't such pressure itself a kind of propaganda tool?" - Martijntje Smits

"According to Ukraine’s Security Service, the film is an element of a Russian information-psychological operation designed to justify Russia’s war and influence foreign audiences…We urge institutions to cancel these events and stand against Russian disinformation." Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

We also continue to think it is important as a festival to encourage debate so that people can form their own opinions...However, out of enormous respect for the Ukrainian people and the specific request of the Ukrainian embassy not to screen this film, we are removing Russians at War from our programme." DOCVILLE

"Academic freedom cannot exist unless we all defend it. My statement on LinkedIn regarding the screening of the documentary "Russians at War" by @LeidenU and @VierdeGolf and the grave threat posed by the reactions to it." - Jona Walk

ANASTASIA TROFIMOVA: THERE IS A LOT OF LIFE IN THE MIDST OF A WAR

"Some people told me: "It's too early for this film. It should come out in five years, ten years, after the war". I disagree. I want to show the full ugliness of the war now, as a force for peace. Often we - media – are a bit like vultures. We descend on the corpse once it's dead and we start picking at it, analyzing it. After the cycle of war is complete, after the politicians have shaken hands, the fear and hatred subside and we can finally see each other as people. I want to try to break the cycle of war and try to see each other as people now." Maarten Fornerod, Substack

"Українська громада в Норвегії Den ukrainske forening i Norge together with activists and other Ukrainian organizations sent an appeal to the organizers of the screening of the Russian propaganda film "Russians at War" requesting to cancel the screening of the film. Posting a copy of the letter." Ukrainian Association in Norway, Facebook

RUSSIANS AT WAR (2025) MOVIE DRINKING GAME & REVIEW

"In the end, I have to disagree with protestors of the film who posit that we should not see the enemy as human. I’ll shed no tears when Putin and his enablers and collaborators are each and all in the grave, but the humanization of the common soldier is not bad- in fact, it may be one of the only ways to end War." Henry J. Fromage, Movie Boozer

RUSSIANS AT WAR REVIEW | TRUTH IS THE FIRST CASUALTY

"It’s an un-winnable situation for Trofimova that creates a film unlikely to fully please anybody. The hardest of Russian sympathizers will complain that these soldiers are ungrateful and resentful, and all critics of Putin’s war won’t be able to look past the narrow viewpoint. It’s a brave film, but also unchallenging to sit through, unable to convince people of anything one way or the other." Andrew Parker, The Gate

"Like Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger’s lauded 2010 doc Restrepo, following U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, or Deborah Scranton’s landmark 2006 doc The War Tapes, which largely consisted of footage shot by National Guard soldiers while deployed in Iraq, Trofimova’s film is a raw work of observational cinema meant to plunge the audience into a very specific, very narrow reality." Bary Hertz, The Globe and Mail

FAR FROM HEROIC PROPAGANDA, THE DOCUMENTARY DEPICTS THE TRAUMATIZED RUSSIAN SOLDIERS OF THE UKRAINE WAR, WHOSE REAL WEAPONS ARE VODKA AND CIGARETTES.

"The fact that the film fails to show Russian guilt in the war is, in my opinion, a moral stance with arguments outside the context of the film. The film is anti-war in its intention. That it sends its message from Russia can be criticized, but the description of Putin's army and his poor population can hardly be said to be pro-Russian beyond the human factor." translated from Danish Bo Tao Michaëlis, Filmmagasinet Ekko

"I watched the movie "Russians at War" by Anastasia Trofimova, the same one for whom the scandals were caused. I never understood why there were scandals - it's just the most important document of time." - Oksana Paskal (auto-translated from Russian)

"DON'T FOLLOW ME. I'M LOST TOO."

"Twenty years ago, Dmitry Bykov wrote a novel called "ZhD" - about how the Varangians and Khazars fight for Russia, and the native population lives as homeless people, walks in circles and sleeps in carriages on the metro's ring line. Since then, the Varangians have settled in the Kremlin, and the Khazars have left the country through Sheremetyevo and Verkhny Lars. Trofimova's film is about the indigenous population. Her heroes are a collective Platon Karataev. Not the one that we study at school, invented by Tolstoy so that the tossing Pierre would finally understand the meaning of existence, but a real one, from life." (translated from Russian) Mikhail Edelstein, Novaya Gazeta

"Trofimova reports simply on the daily soldiering and dying done by the Russian working class as they advance across Ukraine’s Donbas. An overview of the motivations to enlist emerges: a plethora of virtuous, visceral and venal reasons. It is a war like any other and this film hides none of the brutality, cynicism or senselessness of it. Despite international acclaim it’s hard to imagine it being screened in the UK anytime soon." - Rastko Novaković, Sight and Sound "Best Films of 2025 Poll"

TORONTO ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN PREEM

"Russians at War reminds us of the human cost on both sides. As Trofimova so eloquently puts it, “the fog of war is so thick that you can’t see the human stories it’s made of." Toronto International Film Festival

VENICE PRESSER and PREMIERE

"Trofimova was asked at the Venice press conference on whether it was “ethical” to humanize Russian soldiers, in light of war crimes committed by Russia’s army during its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. “I find it a little bit of a strange question, if we can humanize or not humanize someone. So, are there lists of people who we can humanize and people who we can’t? Of course, we have to humanize everyone. This is a huge tragedy for our region, first of all, and for the entire world,” replied Trofimova." Deadline

"If you travel around Russia, it doesn’t feel like there’s a war going on,” Trofimova says. “People live their lives. Cafés are open. Everything is business as usual.” A veteran correspondent of conflicts in Syria, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere, the director hitched along with a Russian army unit and traveled to the war’s frontline, hoping to puncture that illusion of normalcy while also searching for a better understanding of what the soldiers taking up arms against Ukraine believed they were fighting — and dying — for." - Variety

"This is how shamelessly Russian propaganda whitewashes the war crimes and genocide against Ukraine in the West" - Mykhaïlo Golub

"Anastasia Trofimova's documentary "Russians at War" at the Venice Film Festival program and its planned premiere in Toronto are an insult to the victims of Russia’s war against Ukraine." - MFA of Ukraine

"I had no idea I would be able to film this world. It was nothing short of a miracle, because I was missing this human portrait from the war on the Russian side. Anything they said, I was there to listen, not to preach about what I know about the war. They were completely shrouded from the rest of the world. The Nazism, we hear a lot about that in Russian media. But it’s their reality. When making documentaries, we want to show the reality of people and their motivations – what they believe." The Globe and Mail

“War is bad. Aww, you’re so sweet—here, take an award."

“War is bad. Hello, The Hague?"

TVO'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS BAIL

"We have listened to the Ukrainian-Canadian community and their thoughtful and heartfelt input. TVO’s Board of Directors has decided to respect the feedback we have received, and TVO will no longer be supporting or airing Russians at War. TVO will be reviewing the process by which this project was funded and our brand leveraged.” TVO Board of Directors

“At the heart of this storm lies a powerful, heartbreaking documentary about an unjust war. The controversy, largely driven by protests, seems rooted in speculation — primarily from those who likely haven’t even seen the film.” Thom Ernst, Original Cin

“Until now, I thought such an operation was simply impossible. Otherwise, there would be a huge number of independent opposition media outlets and documentary filmmakers on the front lines, specifically on the Russian side. Perhaps I was wrong. What I know for certain is that these aren't just random videos, neutral war chronicles. This is a film that's far from inept." - Anton Dolin, Meduza (auto-translated from Russian)

"We did it! TVO will no longer be supporting or airing the film "Russians at War". Thank you to everyone who worked and advocated to make this happen." - Yvan Baker, MP, Etobicoke Centre

"Freeland blasts Canadian funds going to ‘Russians at War’ doc: "Not right""

“You will feel pity for the people dying in the film and for those we see crying for their loved ones. And you should - if you are a normal human being, you should feel pity, sadness, and emotion. However, it is also important to remember that these individuals joined the army that invaded an independent country, many of them willingly, as we learn from the film.” Darya Bassel, RAAM

"As a member of the @europeanfilmacademy and the winner of the European Film Award for Best Documentary in 2023 I feel that this film should be withdrawn from festivals competition programs and shown instead out of competition alongside an expert panel, with discussions on ethics and propaganda." - Anna Hints

"In April, we issued a Programming Statement for Peace. Today, we would like to reaffirm this excerpt: As a cultural institution, we stand for the right of artists and cultural workers to express fair political comment freely and oppose censorship." Toronto International Film Festival

"Recently, TVOntario withdrew their support for the documentary Russians At War, now screening at TIFF. Read CJFE's statement on this important issue." - Canadian Journalists for Free Expression

Is TIFF’s Exit a Whimper, Not a Bang?

“Directed by Russian Canadian filmmaker Anastasia Trofimova, *Russians at War* is hardly the propaganda piece that Freeland, Ukraine’s consul-general in Toronto Oleh Nikolenko and others claim it to be. Anyone who watches the film will see that the Russians who Trofimova became embedded with aren’t a gung-ho unit of macho patriots. In classic verité style, Trofimova allows the soldiers to reveal their own ignorance of why the war is taking place and with the exception of one clearly foolish youngster, the troop doesn’t ringingly endorse their military arrival in Ukraine. Indeed, they are shown as being horrified at the destruction of towns in Ukraine; this is hardly a pro-war film.” Marc Glassman, POV

"It all started at the Venice Film Festival. Where she nearly eclipsed George Clooney and Amal's fiery hair, a restyled Brad Pitt, and Nicole Kidman as a "baby girl." Anastasia Trofimova, a slender 37-year-old, presented her documentary "Russians at War," co-produced by the Capa agency, out of competition. There was a standing ovation in the audience, but a major brawl ensued backstage. A few tweets from Ukraine sparked the fire. Explanation: the young Russian-Canadian spent more than seven months in a Russian battalion on the Ukrainian front, sometimes risking her life." - Elle France

"We use RT to whitewash our war crimes cos the purpose of Russia today is to make sure you have no idea what actually happens in Russia today." - Darth Putin

"I've heard that apparently there was a significant credible security threat - it was real." - TIFF Protest Organizer

"The documentary Russians at War will play at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Lightbox on Tuesday, after the festival suspended showings earlier this week due to security concerns." CBC

DIPLOMATS DENOUNCE TIFF

"Despite all calls to stop whitewashing Russian killers and rapers they still want to show this documentary under the roof of the festival. We call TIFF Board to step in and like @tvo board denounce the film." Yulia Kovaliv, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada

"Screening "Russians at War" is a significant blow to TIFF's reputation and journalism. Russian propaganda must be contained, not promoted in theaters." Oleh Nikolenko, Consul General of Ukraine in Toronto

DID PROTESTERS THREATEN THE FESTIVAL, OR DID THE FESTIVAL JUST NOT LIKE THIS ESSENTIALLY APOLITICAL DOCUMENTARY’S “POLITICS’

"But then this is an issue with documentary filmmaking in general these days. It’s not enough for a documentary to give us an accurate impression of people’s lives. Documentaries need to be making affirmatively correct political arguments. It is, of course, impossible to make an objective documentary if you go into it with that kind of assumption, nor would any of Trofimova’s subject likely have been honest with her about their motivations if she’d betrayed any obvious slant." William Schwartz, Book & Film Globe

‘RUSSIANS AT WAR’ DIRECTOR TALKS CRITICS AND BACKLASH

"Once you start to talk to them [the soldiers] about various reasons, "how do you explain yourself," you understand there's not much of an understanding. It's a lot of repetition of what they see in the media. And, then, when what they see in the media turns out to be not what they see in real life, they start to question themselves and they don't have answers." CBC Frontburner

"Today I asked the government representative in the @SenateCA why the Canada Media Fund gave 340k to make the propaganda film “Russians at War”. See my question & his answer below. @Isgsenate@ukrcancongress#TIFF@StanKutcher" - Senator Donna Dasko

Russians at War, di Anastasia Trofimova

“The film by the Russian documentary maker, with an excellent experience of working in war theatres ( Victim of Isis and Her War: Women vs Isis both from 2015), is one of the most interesting and disruptive films of the Festival.” translated from Italian Tonino De Pace, Sentieri Salvaggi

Lunenburg Doc Fest Defends Decision to Present "Russians at War"

"The Lunenburg Doc Fest has a long and proud history of using film to bring audiences into unfamiliar places and situations. We did that last year, when we were one of the first audiences to see the horrors of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in “20 Days in Mariupol”, a film that went on from Lunenburg to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary.
- Bruce MacCormack, Chair of the Board, Lunenburg Doc Festival

TIFF 2024: A Canadian Perspective on This Year’s Festival of Festivals

"After several well-received Ukrainian documentaries, “Russians at War,” directed by Russian/Canadian Anastasia Trofimova, provides a unique glimpse into the lives of the soldiers on what for them is the Western Front. Not dissimilar to Erich Maria Remarque’s novel about German soldiers in the Great War, Trofimova’s film gives a welcome perspective at the level of the individual soldier. While certainly not flawless, with some elements worthy of more deep criticism, the film became not only the subject of mass protests outside the venue by supporters of Ukraine believing it to be mere propaganda (none of whom had seen the film), and even members of Trudeau’s government excoriating the festival for playing the film at all. Screenings were eventually canceled due to security concerns, only to be then rescheduled for a few days following the fest within the confines of TIFF’s own facilities." Jason Gorber, RogerEbert.com

‘RUSSIANS AT WAR’ IS PAINFUL AND ONE-SIDED BUT AN IMPORTANT SLICE OF A COMPLEX STORY

“Seeing the film, I certainly didn’t get the sense it’s propaganda the government in Moscow would benefit from or appreciate. The litmus test for me was asking myself this question: would Russian dictator Vladimir Putin be proud of this film? Would he want it shown at the Kremlin? Would he use it to encourage young men and women being sent to the front lines in Ukraine? I would overwhelmingly say no.” Donovan Vincent, The Toronto Star

"Canada should investigate Trofimova ! If you agree that the government must take action to recover all tax dollars spent on ‘Ruzzians at War’ and investigate Trofimova’s ‘work,’ please sign the parliamentary petition" - UCC Toronto

"The UCC calls on the RCMP to investigate whether any breach of Canadian sanctions policy or violation of Canadian international law took place in connection with the funding, filming, and screening of Russians at War, and whether any of the individuals or institutions involved in the financing, production or screening of this Russian propaganda film are an accessory to any possible breach of violation that may have taken place." Ukrainian Canadian Congress

CANADIAN SENATORS DONNA DASKO AND STAN KUTCHER CALL ON THE WINDSOR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TO CANCEL SCREENINGS

"On Sep 26, @StanKutcher & I sent a letter to @Windsoriff film festival asking them to reconsider showing "Russians at War". This Russian propaganda film is not worthy to be shown at this festival. We're still waiting for a reply #NoStageForRussia @kovaliv_y @ukrcancongress" Senator Donna Dasko

"“They [TIFF] told me they’d had more than 2,700 emails, with racial and misogynist threats,” she says. “They had to get me a security detail – it was the first time in my life that I’ve ever had that.” The Telegraph

"The State Security Service of Ukraine launched a criminal investigation into RT filmmaker Anastasia Trofimova, director of the controversial Russians at War documentary, on suspicion of justifying and denying Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine." - United24 Media

"The Ukrainian community in Greece has successfully canceled the screening of the Russians at War film, produced by Russian propagandist Anastasia Trofimova who worked for the Kremlin-funded Russia Today news outlet. Halyna Maslyuk, one of the community’s leaders, shared this news in a statement to the Ukrainian World Congress." Ukrainian World Congress

SÃO PAULO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS RUSSIANS AT WAR IN ITS NEW DIRECTORS COMPETITION

"Anastasia Trofimova, a Russian-Canadian filmmaker, gains unprecedented access to follow a Russian Army battalion in Ukraine. Without any official clearance or permits, she earns the trust of foot soldiers and for much of 2023 embeds herself with the battalion as it makes its way across Eastern Ukraine. What she discovers is far from the narratives propagated by the East or West: a war cutting through family and historical ties, soldiers disillusioned and often struggling to understand what they are fighting for.Presented at the Venice International Film Festival." 48ª Mostra Internacional de Cinema em São Paulo

"Sources say that both 'No Other Land' and 'Russians at War' were likely flagged for their politically sensitive content by the MIB. India’s stance to the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine may have something to do with it."

FIDOCS PRESENTS RUSSIANS AT WAR IN ITS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

"After a chance encounter with a soldier on a train, director Anastasia Trofimova begins to question the motivations and perceptions of those leading the Russian battalion. This film follows a group of soldiers who, as the days go by, seem to have a less clear understanding of what they're really after in that war. It's a direct and raw portrait, primarily of the masculinities involved in a conflict that's increasingly meaningless." Festival Internacional de Documentales de Santiago

"While respecting diversity and fair representation in international cinema, we ask you to suspend this and any further screenings of the film." Ukrainian Institute

"There are no “two-sides” to this war. There is only an aggressor and there is a nation that has been invaded and subjected to ethnocide. If the Festival organisers are committed to peace and justice, they need to stand with those who are being targeted and oppressed" - Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia

ANTENNA DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE OF RUSSIANS AT WAR

"The decision to include Russians at War was not made lightly. Aware of the controversy it has generated globally, we engaged in extensive discussions about the film’s content and the complexities it presents. While not a comprehensive study of the invasion, Russians at War offers a perspective on the conflict that we believe holds value." Antenna Statement

"We are deeply committed to supporting and amplifying the voices of the Ukrainian community, ensuring your concerns are not only heard but acted upon. However, I want to be upfront that we cannot withdraw a film solely because it is controversial. As there is no clear and verifiable evidence of deception or misinformation, we believe it is more productive to focus our efforts on meaningful collaboration rather than a prolonged debate over its inclusion." Kirk Marcolina, Chair, Antenna Documentary Film Festival

“There is no way to see this film and understand it as a piece of Russian state or military propaganda. The best evidence, the conclusive evidence against that narrative, is the film itself…If this is Russian war propaganda, it’s the worst propaganda I have ever seen. The film is an astonishing document and, once I saw it, I knew my understanding of this story via Chrystia Freeland’s words, via the protests of Ukrainian-Canadian groups, was 100% wrong.” Jesse Brown, Canadaland

"Utopie is against censorship and therefore also against self-censorship. Of course, there are always borderline cases, but this is not a borderline case. Firstly, opinions on the documentary are mixed. Most people have a nuanced opinion about the documentary. Some call it Russian propaganda and others hail it as a great anti war documentary." - Grand Cafe Utopie, The Hague

"Creating a space where the film can be shown does not mean the university endorses its content. We will provide a critical context to this film, where there is room for debate, discussion, and criticism." Leiden University Statement 1, LinkedIn

TWO SCREENINGS OF RUSSIANS AT WAR ARE PRESENTED IN THE HAGUE, THE FIRST IN A RECURRING SERIES - "FIRESIDE PEACE CHATS" - AT LEIDEN UNIVERSITY AND THE OTHER ORGANIZED BY A COALITION OF PEACE GROUPS AT GRANDE CAFÉ UTOPIE

"Based on this information, the Embassy will regard any support for the screening of this film as contributing into the Russian Federation’s information efforts against Ukraine." Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of the Netherlands Statement

DOCVILLE (LEUVEN, BELGIUM) CANCELS ITS SCREENINGS OF RUSSIANS AT WAR AT THE REQUEST OF THE EMBASSY OF UKRAINE IN THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

"The choice to programme Russians at War was definitely not one against Ukraine. The film, in our opinion, mostly showed the pointlessness of Russian violence. For us, the disillusionment of the Russian soldiers was - and is - an additional argument against the attack on Ukraine…However, out of enormous respect for the Ukrainian people and the specific request of the Ukrainian embassy not to screen this film, we are removing Russians at War from our programme." Docville Statement

BANNED FILM BY ANASTASIA TROFIMOVA IN BELGRADE

"As a documentary filmmaker, I show what I see – no more, no less. I do not invent reality to suit the political demands of any side." (translated from Serbian) Politka

OSLO DOKUMENTARKINO PRESENTS RUSSIANS AT WAR WITH A PANEL DISCUSSION

"We recognize that there are strong objections to the film. We have nevertheless chosen to show it – because it shows an important part of the war and a reality that official Russia is trying to hide. This is a film that provokes but also provides important insight and creates a good starting point for questions about propaganda, freedom of expression, censorship and the role of art in wartime." Oslo Dokumentarkino

RUSSIANS AT WAR: TROFIMOVA’S WILD DOC TAKES US BEHIND THE FRONTLINES

"Russians at War is a stunning and shocking piece of cinema. By stepping behind enemy lines, Trofimova offers some of the most graphic 1st-person war footage that we’ve seen in some time. That’s not to say it’s particularly gory. Instead, Russiansshows the violence of gunfire and the realities of carnage. Soldiers mishandle explosives, cannons are fired without permission and violence is everywhere. We see lives that are ruined, simply by the realities of war." Steve Norton, ScreenFish

WE FINALLY WATCHED ‘RUSSIANS AT WAR’ — IT'S WORSE THAN WE THOUGHT

"At its core, “Russians at War” is a troubling film, marked by a deliberate ambiguity that functions as an ideological tool and shapes how viewers look at Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. From the very start, Trofimova sets this tone in her voiceover: “This is the Luhansk People’s Republic. Or occupied eastern Ukraine. Or the new Russian territories. It depends on who you ask.” War is presented as a matter of personal perspective, rather than a clear-cut crisis measured against international law and state sovereignty." Kate Tsurkan, The Kyiv Independent

AN ANTI-WAR CAMERA SLIPS PAST PERMITS AND PLATITUDES, CAPTURING MOTIVES, INJURIES, AND DOUBTS WHILE INSTITUTIONS DEBATE SAFETY, SPEECH, AND EMPATHY.

"Trofimova offers a work that seeks humane truths. She absolves no one of responsibility; she shows soldiers who follow Russian propaganda, but explores how they are remotely controlled and misled. She took a truly considerable personal risk to make this anti-war film in the hope of making a small contribution to a swift end to this war. She is accused of lacking empathy. Humanity seems to be the enemy of the propaganda machine itself."

Dieter Wieczorek, Modern Times

I watched "2000 Meters to AndrIIvka" and "Russians at War" and here's what I have to say

"Interestingly, both of these films were shot in August 2023 in the Bahmut direction, just from different sides. They're about different things, but there are many peculiar echoes in both films...I wanted to watch Trofimova's film for a long time – it was immediately labelled propaganda, even by those who hadn't seen it. And finally, the film became available online. Probably the main thing I'll say right away – I do not consider this film to be propaganda." - Masha Borzunova (auto-translated from Russian)

"What a crazy world. People who don’t know each other are fighting and dying, while the leaders and the elite live in peace and comfort."