Tue Sep 10 17:10:24 UTC 2024: ## Canadian Deputy PM Condemns TIFF Screening of Film Featuring Russian Soldiers

**Toronto, Canada -** Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who is of Ukrainian heritage, has condemned the Toronto International Film Festival’s (TIFF) decision to screen the documentary “Russians at War”. Freeland expressed serious concerns about the film, stating that it is “not right for Canadian public money to be supporting the screening and production of a film like this”.

The film, directed by Russian-Canadian Anastasia Trofimova, explores the disillusionment of Russian soldiers during the war in Ukraine. The film’s synopsis claims it depicts soldiers learning that the narrative they were fed by the Russian government is false. However, Freeland emphasized that the war is “a war of Russian aggression” and a clear case of “good and evil”, with Ukrainians fighting for their sovereignty and democracy.

The documentary, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival last week, was partially funded by the Canada Media Fund through TVO. Following public criticism, including a statement from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress denouncing the film, TVO has withdrawn its support for the film and will no longer be airing it.

The film’s director, Trofimova, has stated that the film is an “anti-war film” and was made at great personal risk, claiming that she filmed without the permission of the Russian government and faces potential prosecution in Russia.

The controversy surrounding “Russians at War” highlights the sensitivity of depicting the Russian perspective on the war in Ukraine, particularly in light of the ongoing human rights abuses and war crimes committed by Russian forces. The incident has sparked debate about the role of public funding in supporting films that may be perceived as sympathetic to the Russian side.

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