As a passionate documentary enthusiast with a keen interest in geopolitics, I find myself captivated by the intriguing story of Anastasia Trofimova and her film “Russians at War.” Having spent considerable time delving into various perspectives on global conflicts, I can appreciate the rare opportunity her work provides to hear directly from ordinary Russian soldiers in Ukraine.
Film director Anastasia Trofimova, who is both Russian and Canadian, addressed the demonstration that took place at the Toronto Film Festival on Tuesday regarding her contentious “Russians at War” documentary, which was set to have its North American debut on Friday.
Trofimova reveals to The Hollywood Reporter that her upcoming movie features her personally interviewing everyday Russian soldiers for a period of seven months within Ukraine, offering a unique viewpoint that neither state-controlled Russian television nor western journalists have managed to capture.
Given the current geopolitical situation, these soldiers [Russian soldiers] felt compelled to confide in someone. Yes, I was there and no one else had been,” she clarifies. Her statement comes after the Ukrainian-Canadian community expressed their disapproval towards the Toronto Film Festival hosting Trofimova’s film for its North American premiere on Friday, following its world premiere in Venice.
I, along with around 400 fellow Ukrainian Torontonians, rallied outside TIFF Lightbox, the hub of the significant film festival. We brandished signs that declared bold messages such as “Russian Soldiers at War Equal Justification for Murderers and Rapists” and “Hello TIFF? Russian Propaganda Leads to Death.” Our aim was to voice our concerns about the role of Russian propaganda in promoting violence and death.
At the Venice Film Festival, I unveiled my movie for the first time, and right off the bat, it stirred up quite a buzz. The controversy started brewing during our press conference on the Lido, when I defended this film I made alongside a Russian army battalion while filming in Eastern Ukraine. My comments sparked some serious backlash.
Darya Bassel, a Ukrainian documentary producer presenting her own film, “Songs of Slow Burning Earth,” at Venice, spoke out on Facebook against Trofimova’s doc: “This movie might lead you to think it’s an anti-war film that challenges the Russian government. However, what I saw was a clear example of Russian propaganda in its purest form,” she wrote in a detailed post.
A representative from TIFF declined to comment when questioned about the screening of “Russians at War” at the festival amid protests. Ann Semotiuk, a member of the board of directors for the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in Toronto, stated to The Hollywood Reporter that Trofimova has seemingly disregarded alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine within her film.
Semotiuk contends that despite the director’s expressed intention to offer a fresh viewpoint on the film, she inadvertently chose to disregard the reality that Russia was involved in atrocities within Ukraine, overlooking the fact that Russia acted as an aggressor by invading a neighboring country – one that is democratic, independent, and peaceful – with no just cause other than their own imperialist ambitions.
Cornelia Principe, the producer of “Russians at War“, refuted claims that Trofimova had disregarded Russian war crimes. “We’re not washing anything over. Instead, we’re focusing on these specific individuals,” she clarified. “Could it be that showing compassion for a Russian soldier is considered as whitewashing?” she asked in return.
However, Semotiuk, while stressing her support for independent war journalism, criticized the “Russians at War” documentary for failing to present the Ukrainian viewpoint. On the other hand, Trofimova maintains that her film was not intended to encompass the entire Russia-Ukraine conflict in its entirety. She argued, “It’s quite uncommon for journalists to work on both sides of the frontline. It’s almost impossible. In fact, I wouldn’t have been able to capture footage from the Ukrainian side either, and they are well aware of this.
As a gamer, I found myself caught between two worlds this Tuesday. While immersed in my gaming universe, news of a Canadian-Ukrainian protest unfolded in reality. Interestingly, this event took place on the same day as the initial press and industry viewing of “Russians at War.” On Friday, I’ll rejoin the protesters, standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainian Canadians, as they return to voice their concerns during the public screening of the film at the Scotiabank Theatre.
In a September 5 letter to TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey, Ukrainian Consul General Oleh Nikolenko expressed that it would be unwise and unjust for the Toronto International Film Festival, known for its global prestige, to serve as a platform to absolve Russian soldiers of their accountability in committing war crimes during the current Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Additionally on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Canada, Chrystia Freeland (of Ukrainian descent), voiced her worries during a press conference in Ottawa regarding the screening of Russians at War at TIFF. “Ukrainian diplomats and the Ukrainian Canadian community have raised serious concerns about this movie, and I concur with their apprehensions,” Freeland stated.
According to Producer Principle, the Friday public showing of “Russians at War” remains unchanged: “TIFF and all our financial backers have been extremely supportive. There’s absolutely no change in plans.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress raised concerns that funding bodies in Canada, such as the Canadian Media Fund and independent film financiers, provided public funds for the creation of “Russians at War“. In response to this criticism, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Freeland stated on Tuesday that it is not appropriate for Canadian taxpayer money to be used in supporting the screening and production of such a film.
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2024-09-11 02:55