Toronto festival cancels screenings of film ‘Russians at War’ over ‘significant threats’
The Toronto International Film Festival announced Thursday it was cancelling all screenings of the documentary “Russians at War” due to "significant threats" to public safety and festival operations. Directed by Anastasia Trofimova, the film follows a Russian battalion during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The festival described the decision to cancel the screenings as "unprecedented".
The Toronto International Film Festival said Thursday it was cancelling all upcoming screenings of controversial documentary "Russians at War" after receiving "significant threats."
"We have been made aware of significant threats to festival operations and public safety," festival organizers said in a statement, pointing to reports it received "indicating potential activity in the coming days that pose significant risk."
"This is an unprecedented move for TIFF," read the statement.
Anastasia Trofimova first presented at the Venice Film Festival "Russians at War", in which she embedded with a Russian battalion as it advanced across eastern Ukraine after Moscow launched its invasion in February 2022.
It was to have its North American premiere in Toronto on Friday, followed by additional screenings on Saturday and Sunday.
Both in Venice and Toronto it has sparked outrage across Ukrainian cultural and political circles against what many consider a pro-Kremlin film that seeks to whitewash and justify Moscow's assault.
Producer Sean Farnel said on X that the decision to cancel the screenings was "heartbreaking."
Read more on FRANCE 24 English
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