Freeland states ‘grave concerns’ over TIFF film about Russian soldiers

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland is denouncing a documentary about Russian soldiers screening at the Toronto International Film festival (TIFF) this year.

Speaking with reporters Tuesday, Freeland — who is of Ukrainian heritage — noted that both diplomats and the Canadian-Ukrainian community have expressed “grave concerns” about the film Russians at War.

“I share those concerns,” Freeland said. “It’s not right for Canadian public money to be supporting the screening and production of a film like this.”

It’s unclear whether Freeland has seen the documentary.

The film’s synopsis on TIFF’s website says it depicts soldiers’ disillusionment with the war as they learn the story they were sold in Russia is false. CBC Toronto has reached out to the festival for comment.

WATCH | Freeland concerned about TIFF screening of film about Russian soldiers:

The Canada Media Fund confirmed in a statement to CBC News that it provided $340,000 in funding for the film through TVO, which was operating under the Broadcaster Envelope Program, wherein broadcasters independently choose projects to unlock funds.

“We rely on our trusted and CRTC-regulated broadcasters to ensure the project conforms to the programming standards endorsed by the CRTC,” the statement reads. “We have been in communication with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) organizers and the producers of this documentary. We take these concerns very seriously and are actively engaged.”

TVO says it will no longer air film

TVO, for its part, said in a statement on Tuesday evening that it is pulling its support for the film.

“We have listened to the Ukrainian-Canadian community and their thoughtful and heartfelt input,” Chris Day, chair of the TVO board of directors, said in the statement,

“TVO’s Board of Directors has decided to respect the feedback we have received, and TVO will no longer be supporting or airing Russians at War.”

Day said TVO will review the process by which the project was funded and its brand used.

The documentary, from Russian-Canadian director Anastasia Trofimova, premiered at the Venice Film Festival last week and is set to make its North American debut at TIFF on Friday.

Trofimova said in a written statement that the film is not propaganda, and was filmed without the permission of the Russian government, putting her at risk of criminal prosecution in Russia.

“I want to be clear that this Canada-France co-production is an antiwar film made at great risk to all involved, myself especially,” she said.

“I unequivocally believe that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is unjustified, illegal and acknowledge the validity of the International Criminal Court investigation of war crimes in Ukraine.”

Freeland, however, said this is a war without “moral equivalency.

“This is a war of Russian aggression, this is a war where Russia is breaking international law and committing war crimes,” she said.

“There is very clearly good and evil in this war. Ukrainians are fighting for their sovereignty and for democracy around the world. 

In a written statement, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress asked why TIFF would screen a movie “that seeks to explain away Russia’s genocidal war of aggression against Ukraine.”

They said they would protest the film’s inclusion in the festival on Tuesday afternoon, when it is set to be shown to members of the press and film industry.