The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has made the unprecedented decision to withdraw its controversial documentary after staff members received “hundreds” of threats, reveals russians at war Last week’s list included threats of violence and sexual assault.
TIFF said last Thursday it was “forced to suspend” three shows of a documentary by Russian-Canadian director Anastasia Trofimova after “recognizing a significant threat to festival operations and public safety.” A public screening is coming soon. The film was originally scheduled to premiere in North America on the final Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the festival.
The festival added in a statement: “This decision has been taken to ensure the safety of all festival guests, staff and volunteers.”
The announcement was met with some skepticism from the Canadian documentary and media circles, with some publications speculating that TIFF was simply getting cold feet in the face of public outcry and political pressure.
However, on Tuesday afternoon, the festival made good on its promise to continue showing the film, hosting afternoon and evening screenings at its own TIFF Lightbox. TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey introduced the documentary in front of an anxious crowd at 2 p.m. ET, telling attendees that his team’s decision to screen the film was met with ” Strongly opposed.”
“It’s mostly civilized and peaceful,” Bailey said. “Some of them are horrific.”
Bailey continued, “TIFF staff have received hundreds of incidents of abuse in emails and phone calls. Our staff have also received threats of violence, including sexual violence. We are shocked and our staff are scared, This is understandable.
“We are also aware of plans to disrupt or stop screenings. As last week’s screening was scheduled to be shown at a 14-screen multiplex during one of the festival’s busiest days, we decided it would be safer not to proceed with those plans.
Bailey did not expand on the latter, but hollywood reporterIt is understood that some former TIFF staff members have received inquiries about the theater’s floor plan, as well as questions about exactly where talent will move in and out.
The documentary was scheduled to be screened at Toronto’s Scotiabank Richmond Cinema Complex, but its screen did not have a side door for actors to enter the Q&A session. They must use the same entrance as cinemagoers. In contrast, the festival’s own Lightbox Cinema has specialized stage doors typically used to remove A-list stars during the festival.
Bailey’s comments will put considerable pressure on Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who has been criticized for characterizing the documentary as propaganda. “It is not right that Canadian public funds should support the screening and production of a film like this,” she told the media on September 10, even though she had not yet seen the film.
Following the minister’s remarks, hundreds of Ukrainian Canadians took to the streets of Toronto to protest the first media and industry screening, waving placards and chanting “Shame on the Toronto International Film Festival.” The protests coincided with the board of directors of Canada’s public broadcaster TVO announcing it would no longer screen or support the film, an unprecedented move that overturned the network’s executive team and commissioning editors.
However, during the festival, a large number of Canadian journalists viewed the film, and the media response was unanimous in rejecting the deputy prime minister’s characterization.
The country’s three national newspapers cover the spectrum from left to right – toronto star , globe and mail andNational Post– All published articles praise the film (which the author has seen) as a powerful anti-war polemic that portrays Russian infantrymen as incompetent and unmotivated, feeling betrayed and unsure of what they were actually fighting for Feel confused.
” russians at war A brave and brilliant documentary,” wrote globe and mailin its review. “It unabashedly shows the horrors of war, including some of the most horrific footage you’ll ever see on the big screen. This documentary in no way glorifies Russia or its military or its war effort. This film in no way demonizes Ukraine or its people.
Referring to Minister Freeland’s comments, Bailey told attendees: “I believe that succumbing to some public or governmental pressure when it comes to displaying any cultural product can be a corrosive force in our society. When we choose to When making the film, we were guided by TIFF’s mission and its values, and I believe those principles — and those of independent media in Canada — are worth defending.
Bailey reiterated that Trofimova’s film – a French-Canadian co-production seeking international distribution – went through a “rigorous selection process” and was praised for its “artistic merit” and “relevance to the horrific, ongoing conflict caused by the war.” “Relevance of War”. Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. “
He added that TIFF is screening a number of documentaries by Ukrainian filmmakers at the festival in 2022, 2023 and 2024, providing first-hand insights into the horrific events mentioned above.
“We deeply sympathize with the suffering of Ukrainian Canadians as a result of the violence and destruction caused by Russia’s invasion,” Bailey concluded. “But the abuse and threats of violence directed at the screenings cross a dangerous line.
“We are presentingrussians at warStand up to this abuse, stand up to these threats, and support the importance of media and curatorial independence.
