**Ukrainian Diaspora in Australia Plans to Protest “Russians at War” Documentary**
Members of the Ukrainian diaspora in Australia are planning to protest the screening of the documentary “Russians at War” at the Antenna Documentary Film Festival in Sydney on February 6. The film, directed by Anastasia Trofimova, has been criticized for its perceived attempt to whitewash Russian soldiers involved in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
**Criticism Surrounding the Film**
The documentary has faced criticism for lacking a concrete counter-narrative to Russian propaganda and failing to address documented Russian war crimes. Some have also questioned the film’s lack of critique towards Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime. Trofimova previously worked for Russia Today, a Kremlin-backed propaganda outlet.
**Protest and Controversy**
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations (AFUO) plans to hold a rally against the screening of the film, which has been a point of controversy since its release in September 2024. The film was initially scheduled to screen at prestigious festivals in Venice and Toronto but was pulled from their lineups due to protests.
**Response from Film Festival**
Despite the planned protest, the Antenna Film Festival has not removed the film from its lineup. In a statement, the festival defended the screening of “Russians at War”, saying it offers a perspective on the conflict that holds value and sheds light on internal contradictions within the Russian military.
**Counter-Narrative**
The festival also included the documentary “Intercepted” in their line up, which chronicles the work of Ukrainian intelligence agencies intercepting calls from Russian soldiers. The director of “Intercepted”, Oksana Karpovych, had previously pulled her film from screening alongside “Russians at War”.
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