Canadian Film Festival Cancels Russian War Film Due to Threats

toronto - The Toronto International Film Festival canceled all screenings of the controversial documentary film 'Russians at War' due to significant threats.

The festival organizers stated that they received significant threats to festival activities and public safety. This move is unprecedented for TIFF.

The film, presented at the Venice Film Festival, follows a director who accompanied a Russian battalion through Eastern Ukraine after the 2022 invasion. It caused outrage for being seen as a justification for the invasion of Ukraine.

Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland expressed regret over the film's screening in Toronto. The Ukrainian state film agency called the film 'a dangerous tool for manipulating public opinion'.

The director rejected the criticism, describing the film as an anti-war film showing ordinary boys fighting for Russia.