Scandal at TIFF: Why Russians at War was removed from the festival program

The famous film producer and director Oleksandr Rodnyansky made a loud statement regarding the decision of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to cancel the screening of the propaganda film "Russians at War". This step became unprecedented and caused a wide resonance in the film industry.

"Russians at War": Propaganda or Art?

Rodnyansky explained that the film did not meet the criteria that must be met at prestigious film festivals. "The film does not sound a firm anti-war position of the author himself. With the recognition of obvious facts — criminal aggression, illegal annexation of territories, war crimes, " he emphasized. According to the producer, the presence of statements about "Ukrainian Nazis" and "civil war in Ukraine" in the tape are unacceptable.

Comparison with other historical events

Rodnyansky also drew parallels with other events in history. He noted that a similar film could be shot during the Second World War, for example, in the German units near Stalingrad. "No one would dare to show such films at a world film festival in the midst of war, " he added.

Reaction of Ukrainian officials

The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak also expressed his opinion on this situation. He noted that the main threat is Russian propaganda, which distorts reality by presenting the aggressor as a victim. "The world must unite to fight for a just peace", Yermak emphasized.

TIFF's decision to cancel the screening of the film was an important step in the fight against propaganda and misinformation. This is an event that demonstrates that the world film community is not ready to put up with distortions of facts and substitution of reality, even if it is done under the guise of art.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova