The screening of the film Russians at War in Toronto has indeed been canceled

The reason is significant threats to the festival’s activities and public safety: “This decision was made for the safety of all guests, staff, and volunteers of the festival,” stated the TIFF International Film Festival.

However, the festival organizers have not changed their opinion regarding the propaganda film about supposedly “ordinary good Russian soldiers,” as they believe the film “deserves a place in the festival’s program.” Therefore, they will screen it “when it is safe to do so.”

Toronto police did not confirm the existence of significant security risks to the festival.

Let us remind you, this concerns the film “Russians at War” by Russian-Canadian director Anastasia Trofimova, who previously made films for the propaganda holding RT (Russia Today). The film was already screened on September 5 at the Venice Film Festival.

Previously, the Toronto International Film Festival announced that it would not cancel the screening of the Russian director’s film “Russians at War” despite a wave of criticism.

The festival’s organizing committee defended its position, stating that the film was funded by Canadian government institutions, and Russia and its governmental structures were not involved in its production.

“We understand and deeply share the suffering of the Ukrainian people due to the unlawful Russian invasion. In working with works of art in these politicized times, we are guided by the democratic values of freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly, which are protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” the festival stated.

Nevertheless, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine appealed to the Canadian Parliament to prevent the screening of the film “Russians at War” at the Toronto Film Festival.

The documentary by Russian-Canadian director and former Russia Today employee Anastasia Trofimova was scheduled to be shown on September 10, as well as on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of September.

Ukrainian deputies pointed out that Trofimova’s film received $340,000 from the Canadian Media Fund, which is funded by the Canadian government. The Rada is urging Canadian colleagues to “use all parliamentary means” to prevent the screening of “Russians at War.”