The documentary also shows Russian soldiers as victims. It is understandable that one can do without it from a Ukrainian perspective. But this must not lead to attempts at censorship.
Ukrainian protest against “Russians at War”: The man demonstrated in front of a cinema in Toronto where the film was supposed to be shown.
Paige Taylor White / AP
Nobody should see the film. “Russians at War” will not be shown at the Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) due to obvious Ukrainian pressure. That leaves an aftertaste. The question arises as to how drastically official authorities have interfered.
The war documentary follows Russian soldiers at the front. It is understandable that the attacked state views this with skepticism. But it is frightening when a film festival feels compelled to forego a screening for fear of disruption or worse.
Safety concerns led to the cancellation, the ZFF announced in a brief communiqué on Thursday. The festival management does not want to comment on the danger situation, the uncertainty is great.
The Ukrainian embassy in Bern did not respond to a request from the NZZ. It is clear that the pressure also came from high places in Ukraine: The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry criticized the ZFF (which belongs to the NZZ) on X. It is about to ruin its reputation by showing Russian propaganda.
Two weeks earlier, at the film festival in Toronto (Tiff), Ukraine’s diplomatic representative there had publicly called for the film to be canceled. Pro-Ukrainian activists were probably first brought onto the scene by him, and then covered the Tiff employees with hundreds of verbal attacks in calls and emails. There were also threats of sexual violence.
“Russians at War” is controversial because it is doubtful that it is an independent film work. The fact that director Anastasia Trofimova spent seven months on the front without the Kremlin’s knowledge seems unbelievable to many observers. Trofimova is not beyond any doubt. She worked for the propaganda channel Russia Today until 2020.
On the other hand, the film paints an unflattering picture of the Russian army. The soldiers complain about the lack of pay, they don’t seem particularly capable militarily, it seems as if they are being burned as cannon fodder. “Russians at War” evokes pity. One may recognize a pro-Russian effect in this. It is doubtful that the Kremlin likes this depiction of the soldiers. It is difficult to see a sophisticated propaganda effort behind the work.
Ukraine has the right to criticize the film harshly. But the attacks – whether they came from official sources or from activists acting on their own initiative – obviously went beyond all limits.
It is an unprecedented incident: one cannot remember that a Swiss cultural institution has ever been forced to take a comparable step by foreign actors – especially by actors from a friendly state.
The influence on “Russians at War” is probably also symptomatic of an unpleasant development in war-torn Ukraine. Things are not going well for democracy. The fact that democratic processes have been undermined is due to the Russian attack. Nevertheless, Zelenskiy’s ruling by decree must not remain without problematization. Reports of violence against people who refuse to be drafted are also increasing.
The events surrounding “Russians at War” also show increasing aggressiveness. It speaks of desperation that one can fully understand: the brutal Russian war is taking its toll on the country, and support from the West is too little. In this situation, Ukrainians can safely do without a film documentary that shows Russian soldiers as victims. However, this must not lead to attempts at censorship. Even the just war does not justify a blank check for threats and suppression of opinions. Ukraine should not disavow itself in its heroic fight, which it is also fighting for Europe.
