TVO was ready to defend controversial Russians at War film before pulling plug, documents show

Days before its board pulled support for a controversial documentary about Russia’s war in Ukraine, TVO was prepared to defend the film, according to documents obtained by CBC Toronto. The Ontario public broadcaster had even gone as far as encouraging the public to “see the documentary for themselves” just four days before the board decided to ditch Russians at War, a film that had received significant public funding.

Ontario Education Minister Jill Dunlop praised the board’s decision, calling it “the right thing to do.” However, she maintained that the government did not intervene in the situation. Despite this, emails show that Premier Doug Ford’s office was made aware of the controversy in the days leading up to the film’s North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in mid-September.

When asked if the Ford government pressured TVO to drop the film, the broadcaster issued a statement denying any interference. The documentary, directed by Russian Canadian filmmaker Anastasia Trofimova, had faced criticism from Ukrainian officials, community groups, and politicians, including Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who labeled it as propaganda.

In Russians at War, Trofimova follows soldiers and medics on the front lines of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. She filmed a Russian battalion over seven months without Moscow’s permission, putting herself at risk of criminal prosecution in Russia. Despite the controversy, Trofimova defended her work, stating that she aimed to reveal the reality of one side of the conflict that had not been heard before.

TIFF suspended screenings of the film citing “significant threats” to public safety and its operations, although the Toronto police stated that their decision was not based on any recommendation. The film’s producers expressed disappointment at the cancellation and attributed it to “inflammatory” comments made by politicians and community leaders, calling the situation “shockingly unCanadian.”

The Documentary Organization of Canada also raised concerns about political interference in TVO’s decision to pull the film. While the documents reviewed by CBC Toronto did not show direct government involvement, they shed light on TVO’s sudden change in position regarding the documentary.

TVO initially described Russians at War as an “anti-war documentary” and defended it against accusations of being pro-Russia. However, the broadcaster later cited “factual inaccuracies” as the reason for the controversy surrounding the film. TVO’s board of directors eventually decided not to air the film on the channel, leading to protests from the pro-Ukrainian community during its screening at TIFF.

Despite the backlash, Trofimova continued to stand by her work, emphasizing the importance of seeing the film before passing judgment. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has resulted in a significant number of civilian casualties, according to the United Nations.

The Ontario Education Ministry closely monitored the fallout from TVO’s decision, with Minister Jill Dunlop expressing support for the board’s choice. The ministry clarified that it does not have a role in TVO’s broadcasting decisions due to CRTC licensing requirements.

Overall, the controversy surrounding Russians at War highlighted the complex intersection of politics, media, and art, underscoring the challenges faced by filmmakers seeking to shed light on contentious issues.