'Russians at War' producers threaten legal action against TVO for pulling documentary
CTV
Lawyers representing the producers of 'Russians at War' say they may pursue legal action against Ontario's public broadcaster for pulling support for the controversial documentary amid outcry from the Ukrainian community and some Canadian politicians.
Lawyers representing the producers of "Russians at War" say they may pursue legal action against Ontario's public broadcaster for pulling support for the controversial documentary amid outcry from the Ukrainian community and some Canadian politicians.
A letter addressed to TVO's board and management demands that the network immediately reinstate its commitment to air "Russians at War," or allow the filmmakers to license the film to another broadcaster or streaming platform.
The letter says that if the matter can't be resolved, the film's producers will be left with "no choice but to pursue all legal remedies," including claims for breach of contract, defamation, and damages associated with any loss of funding for the project.
"We trust that the board will recognize the gravity of this situation and act swiftly to rectify it," lawyer Danny Webber of Hall Webber LLP wrote in the letter sent Thursday, adding that the law firm expects a response from TVO within 10 business days.
TVO board chair Chris Day told The Canadian Press that the broadcaster won't publicly comment on legal matters.
The film by Russian-Canadian director Anastasia Trofimova — which captures the experiences of Russian soldiers on the front lines of the war in Ukraine — has sparked considerable backlash from Ukrainian officials and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, who called it "Russian propaganda."
The documentary was produced in partnership with TVO and financed in part by the broadcaster's allocation of Canada Media Fund resources. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has denounced the use of public funds to help produce and screen "Russians at War," saying she shares the Ukrainian community's "grave concerns" about the film.
