Belgian festival calls off ‘Russians at War’ movie

(MENAFN) The Docville documentary film festival in Belgium has canceled the screening of the film Russians at War following a formal request from the Ukrainian Embassy. The festival stated that the decision was made out of "immense respect for the Ukrainian people," though it also defended its original decision to include the film, emphasizing its goal of offering a platform for diverse perspectives often overlooked by mainstream media.

The documentary, directed by Anastasia Trofimova and funded by the Canadian government, documents the experiences of Russian soldiers in the separatist regions of Lugansk and Donetsk, which joined Russia following 2022 referendums. Despite its aim to present a different side of the story, the film has faced criticism in the West, with some accusing it of being too lenient toward the Russian military. Trofimova, who was later included on the Ukrainian Mirotvorets database, has defended the film as an important counter-narrative.

The film had previously been shown at the Venice Film Festival and was scheduled to screen at the Toronto International Film Festival before being canceled due to safety concerns after protests from Ukrainian groups. Docville has also withdrawn other films from its program, citing challenges in ensuring a peaceful screening environment.

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