The Toronto International Film Festival says it’s not pulling a controversial documentary about Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine from its schedule despite outcry from Ukrainian officials and community groups who say the film amounts to propaganda.
TIFF’s statement comes a day after Ontario’s public broadcaster TVO, which helped fund “Russians at War,” announced it was no longer supporting the film and would not be airing it in the coming months as planned.
“In our view, in no way should this film be considered Russian propaganda,” TIFF said Wednesday, following days of silence on the issue.
“While we understand the concerns expressed by many, we believe, like the Venice Film Festival and other international festivals who have programmed the film, that this Canadian documentary merits a place in our selection.”
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress, which helped organize a protest against the film in Toronto on Tuesday, said it’s disappointed by TIFF’s …