Published19 September 2024, 10:45
«Russians at War»: Zurich Film Festival shows controversial documentary about Russia’s war
The documentary “Russians at War” will be shown at the Zurich Film Festival. “For us, it is an anti-war film,” says ZFF director Christian Jungen.
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At the Toronto Film Festival, screenings of the film “Russians at War” had to be cancelled after threats.
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In Switzerland, too, Ukrainians called for the film not to be shown.
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The documentary will now be shown at the ZFF anyway.
Now it’s clear: The Zurich Film Festival will show the film “Russians at War”, a controversial documentary about the Russian war of aggression, on the big screen. This was announced by festival director Christian Jungen and managing director Roger Crotti at a media conference in the luxury Dolder Grand hotel on Thursday.
“We discussed for a long time whether we could show this film,” said Jungen. They were aware of the propaganda allegations. “For us, it is an anti-war film.”
“For us it is an anti-war film”: Roger Crotti and Christian Jungen in the Dolder.
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Film festivals against censorship
The director Anastasia Trofimova, however, is “not entirely unproblematic”. “She worked for Russia Today for years,” said Jungen. But it is not about the director’s background, but about the content of the film. Film festivals were founded in times of war so that warring parties could find common ground – as was the case during the Cold War between the USA and the Soviet Union, for example.
“The task of film festivals in the pioneering days was to fight against censorship,” stresses Jungen. Film festivals are committed to dialogue and understanding – even if it is unpleasant. “Films should give us something to talk about – and this film will also give us something to talk about and trigger unpleasant feelings. Particularly among Ukrainians, which we understand,” says the festival director.
Panel discussion planned
In contrast to the Venice Film Festival, the ZFF will address the controversy proactively, says Jungen. “We are planning a panel discussion, which the director will hopefully also attend.” They hope that it will remain peaceful. “We are excited to see how the film will be received by the public.”
The screening of the film “Russians at War” had to be postponed at the Toronto Film Festival over the weekend due to threats. After 20 Minutes reported on the possible screening at the Zurich Film Festival, the Ukrainian diaspora in Switzerland turned to the management of the Zurich Film Festival. In a statement, which 20 Minutes also has, they criticize the fact that the documentary downplays the suffering caused in Ukraine and could serve as a subtle justification for the invasion.
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