Screening of controversial documentary Russians at War still on in Windsor: WIFF

The executive director of the Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) says the festival's planned screening of the documentary Russians at War will go ahead next month, even as the film has sparked controversy and was suspended from the Toronto International Film Festival's (TIFF) lineup due to security concerns.

Vincent Georgie, also the festival'schief programmer, said the festival has always shown films that stimulate discussion, criticism, debate and reflection.

"The film is there to create discussion and debates," Georgie told CBC Windsor's Afternoon Drive.

"I think what's quite important in all of this is it's a film that's been very, very, very little seen by people, and that's a really important piece."

WATCH: TIFF suspends screenings of film about Russian soldiers after threats

TIFF suspends screenings of film about Russian soldiers after threats | Canada Tonight

13 days ago

Duration 6:07

The Toronto International Film Festival has announced it will pause all upcoming screenings of the film Russians at War following what organizers said were 'significant threats to festival operations and public safety.' The first-person documentary by Russian Canadian filmmaker Anastasia Trofimova spurred a protest from Ukrainian officials and community groups who say the film amounts to propaganda.

Russians at Waris a first-person documentary directed by Russian Canadian filmmakerAnastasia Trofimova. The storyfollowssoldiers and medics on the front lines of Russia's invasion of Ukraine an invasion which the United Nations estimates has killedmore than 11,700 civilians and injured another 24,600 sinceFebruary 2022.

Trofimova worked at CBC/Radio-Canada's Moscow bureau for six months until it was forced to closein 2022.

The film has been rebuked by the Ukrainian community and some Canadian politicians. The film was funded in part by the Canada Media Fund, which provided $340,000 for the project through its broadcaster envelope program.

Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has denounced the use of public funds for Russians at War, saying she shares the "grave concerns" Ukrainian officials and community members in Canada have raised about the film.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Ukraine's consul-general in Toronto and others have called the film Russian propaganda and a "whitewashing" of Russian military war crimes in Ukraine claims the film's producers and TIFF have rejected.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress has said it will keep protesting Russians in War since TIFF has said it will still screen the documentary at some point.

All 'excellent films': Georgie

Georgie said 214 feature films, including Russians at War, are being shown at WIFF this year and they are all "excellent films."

"They're all films that deserve to be considered and deserve to be understood and that's really the key thing with [Russians at War] or any of the films we're showing they're all films that are there to generate discussion," he said.

Additional security measures at WIFF

Russians at War was set to have its North American premiere at the Scotiabank Theatre on Friday but this spurred protest from Ukrainian officials and community groups. Organizers suspended the screening and on Thursday said in a statement the move wasbecause of "significant threats to festival operations and public safety."

"This is an unprecedented move for TIFF," they said.

"When we select films, we're guided by TIFF's mission, our values, and our programming principles. We believe this film has earned a place in our festival's lineup, and we are committed to screening it when it is safe to do so."

WATCH: Documentary does not 'whitewash' Russian war crimes: filmmaker

Documentary does not 'whitewash' Russian war crimes: filmmaker

14 days ago

Duration 1:26

The Toronto International Film Festival said it will not pull a controversial documentary about Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine from its schedule, despite outcry from Ukrainian officials and community groups. In conversation with Metro Morning host David Common, Russian Canadian filmmaker Anastasia Trofimova defended her work.

The film's consulting producer,Sean Farnel,called the move "heartbreaking" in a social media statement

Georgie said he witnessed first-hand what transpired in Toronto, adding that there will be additional security measures for the WIFF screening.

"It's been very, very unfortunate to see what's happened in Toronto. It's been a very tense environment," he said.

"Public safety that's something as we get closer to the festival, we would be monitoring and preparing for, of course. That's very, very important to make sure any of the films we're showing are in an environment that is safe, that is civilized, that is respectful, that people can feel free to participate."

Russians at War is scheduled to screen at WIFF, which runs runsfrom Oct. 24 to Nov. 3. The festival announced Friday that the documentary is among 10 nominees for its WIFF Prize in Canadian Film, worth $25,000.