'Canada is in disgrace': Protest erupts as TIFF proceeds with screenings of controversial Russian war documentary

In a reversal from last week's decision to halt screenings, Toronto International Film Festival is screening 'Russians at War' on Tuesday

Corné van Hoepen
·Editor, Yahoo News Canada
Updated ·4-min read
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. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

The Toronto International Film Festival is moving forward with screening the controversial documentary Russians at War on Tuesday amid a new wave of protests after postponing last week's showings due to public outcry.

The film, which details the experiences of Russian soldiers on the front lines of the war in Ukraine, has drawn backlash from Ukrainian officials, community groups, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. She condemned the use of public funds to finance and screen the documentary, which received $340,000 from the Canada Media Fund, and was produced in partnership with Ontario's public broadcaster, TVO.

Last week, TIFF announced in a lengthy statement it would be suspending screenings of "Russians at War" due to “significant threats" to festival operations and public safety.

Russian-Canadian filmmaker Anastasia Trofimova vehemently denies the propaganda claims, saying that her documentary was filmed without the Russian government's permission, which put her at risk of criminal prosecution.

"This temporary suppression is shockingly unCanadian. We call on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to fully investigate this affront, from within a sovereign government, to our democratic values and a free media," reads a statement shared by producers of Russians at War late last week.

While the festival officially closed Sunday night, the organization said the screenings this week are part of its TIFF ’24 lineup, and an update on their website shows an afternoon and evening screening taking place on September 17.

Reports emerged Tuesday afternoon that protesters had positioned themselves around the Bell Lightbox Theatre in response to the announcement that screenings would proceed.

Multiple Toronto police officers are on hand to prevent protesters from entering the theatre and ensure protests do not get out of hand.

Oleh Nikolenko, Consul General of Ukraine in Toronto, has expressed his outrage over the decision by TIFF to proceed with the screening of the film, and shared a lengthy statement over Facebook.

Social media users are rushing to share their thoughts on TIFF's reversal to show the documentary. One X user states "It's traumatizing for the victims of Russian aggression."

Questions over the approval of funding for Russians at War also surfaced in Senate Tuesday, with Senator Donna Dasko asking why the Canada Media Fund gave 340k to make the film.

One user on the other side of the dialogue says he watched the war doc and "can't imagine how it could be Russian propaganda."

"For promoting genocide, Canada is in a state of disgrace," chimed in one X user.

Reaction is pouring in from beyond Canada's borders, with one organization calling the screening of the film "A crime against Ukrainian people."

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