The Belgian Film Festival banned the screening of a Russian propaganda film.

The DOCVILLE Festival in the city of Leuven canceled the screening of the Russian propaganda film 'Russians at War' thanks to the proactive and swift actions of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Belgium. This was reported by 'Glavkom' referencing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

The DOCVILLE Festival in Leuven decided not to show the film 'Russians at War' due to the active steps taken by the Embassy of Ukraine in Belgium. This was reported by 'Glavkom'.

The film 'Russians at War' tells the story of Russian soldiers fighting against Ukraine and portrays them as victims of circumstances, hiding their responsibility for the war crimes they have committed in Ukraine.

The film depicts brutal killings, torture, rape, looting, and the forced deportation of Ukrainian children. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that showing such films is part of the Russian information war aimed at justifying their aggression against Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Embassy appealed to the federal government, the government of the Flanders region, the management of the DOCVILLE festival, and the Leuven Catholic University asking them not to show this film. As a result, the festival director and the university rector announced the cancellation of its screening.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses that Russian propaganda has no place on cultural platforms, and the cultural scene should not be used to spread lies about the war and justify the aggressor.

Intent to show in Toronto

It was previously reported that the International Film Festival in Toronto plans to screen the film 'Russians at War' by Russian-Canadian director Anastasia Trofimova, which does not depict Russian military personnel as invaders and criminals.

Anastasia Trofimova previously worked for the Russian media network Russia Today, which has been sanctioned by the United States for interference in the presidential elections. The director claims she did not have the opportunity to witness the war crimes of Russian soldiers during her Time in the combat zone. The film ignores the rapes, tortures, and killings carried out by the occupiers. The film has already been shown at the Venice Film Festival.