TORONTO -- Ukrainian officials are calling on the Toronto International Film Festival to pull a documentary about Russian soldiers from its schedule.
In a letter to TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey, Ukrainian Consul General Oleh Nikolenko says the film "Russians at War" attempts to absolve the soldiers in question of responsibility in the invasion of Ukraine.
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.
The synopsis on TIFF's website says the film depicts the soldiers' disillusionment with the war as they learn the story they were sold in Russia is false.
Nikolenko says in the letter that he doesn't believe the documentary was filmed legally, as access to Russian-occupied Ukraine is restricted and Trofimova did not receive permission to cross that border.
Trofimova says the film is not propaganda and she put herself at risk of prosecution in Russia to create it.
"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."
Spokespeople for TIFF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 9, 2024.