Protesters gather outside the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) screening of “Russians at War,” a documentary about Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, September 10, 2024. [Carlos Osorio/Reuters]
The Athens International Film Festival has joined the wave of cancelations by halting screenings of the controversial documentary “Russians at War” due to security concerns.
The film by director Anastasia Trofimova was set to be part of the festival’s “Premiere Nights” but has been pulled from public view for safety reasons.
Trofimova, who embedded with Russian troops in Ukraine for the documentary, defended her work against accusations of propaganda. The raw footage captures the soldiers’ perspectives amidst the conflict.
The decision has sparked debate and condemnation, with Ukrainian critics alleging the film whitewashes Russian war crimes. Despite the backlash, Trofimova remains firm in her portrayal of the soldiers’ experiences.
The controversy highlights the power of film in shaping narratives and the importance of freedom of expression in artistic expression.