Zurich Film Festival Drops Documentary About Russian Soldiers Amid Threats from Kiev
The Zurich Film Festival has stirred controversy by canceling a scheduled screening of the documentary ‘Russians at War’ following threats from Kiev. The film, directed by Anastasia Trofimova and funded by the Canadian government, delves into the personal stories of Russian soldiers in Ukraine.
Premiering at the Venice Film Festival, the documentary faced backlash from Kiev, labeling it as “Russian propaganda.” The cancellation of the screening in Toronto further accentuated the tensions surrounding the film. The decision to drop the documentary was made by the Zurich festival out of concern for the safety of attendees, staff, and partners.
Despite pressure from the Ukrainian government and pro-Ukrainian activists, the festival organizers decided to keep the film eligible for prizes in the competition. Trofimova defended her work as an anti-war portrayal of ordinary soldiers, contrary to the accusations of promoting war crimes by Kiev.
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