TIFF pauses screenings of ‘Russians at War’ [Video]

The Toronto International Film Festival says it’s pausing upcoming screenings of the controversial documentary “Russians at War” due to “significant threats” to festival operations and public safety.

The film about Russian soldiers’ disillusionment at the front lines of the war in Ukraine was set to have its North American premiere at TIFF on Friday, with additional screenings on Saturday and Sunday. 

“This is an unprecedented move for TIFF,”  the festival said in a statement Thursday afternoon.  

“As a cultural institution, we support civil discourse about and through films, including differences of opinion, and we fully support peaceful assembly. However, we have received reports indicating potential activity in the coming days that pose significant risk; given the severity of these concerns, we cannot proceed as planned.”

The film, a Canada-France co-production, has drawn the ire of Ukrainian officials and community organizations who called the documentary “Russian propaganda” – a claim TIFF …