Miscellaneous Zurich Film Festival sticks to controversial documentary film

The documentary "Russians at war" is to be shown at the Zurich Film Festival despite criticism. Filmmaker Anastasia Trofimova is accused of trivializing Russian war crimes in Ukraine with the documentary.

"Russians at war" will be shown as planned at the Zurich Film Festival (ZFF), as festival director Christian Jungen said at a media conference in Zurich on Thursday.

The film, for which Trofimova accompanied a Russian military unit in the war against Ukraine for several months, triggered strong reactions, particularly among Ukrainians. Screenings at the Toronto Film Festival had to be canceled due to threats.

In Zurich, the film's genesis will be discussed and, if possible, a panel discussion will also take place, according to Jungen. The ZFF begins on October 3. Numerous stars are expected to attend, including Richard Gere and Kate Winslet.

SDA