Ukrainians in Australia protest ‘Russians at War’ screening again

The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations (AFUO) is continuing its campaign to oppose the screening of the pro-Kremlin propaganda film “Russians at War” at the Antenna Documentary Film Festival in Sydney.

“Over the past few weeks, the AFUO has worked tirelessly to educate the Antenna Documentary Film Festival and its sponsors on the significant dangers of screening blatant Kremlin-aligned propaganda in Australia, and we are disappointed that they have chosen to ignore our concerns,” said Kateryna Argyrou, Co-Chair of the AFUO and a UWC Board of Directors member.

The community organized street protests on Feb. 6 and 10, called on Ukrainians to send letters demanding the screenings be canceled, worked with festival organizers, reached out to Australian Minister of Culture Tony Burke and key government sponsors, and ensured media coverage of the issue.

Another protest took place on Feb. 14 during the screening in Sydney despite the ongoing disregard for their calls. 

Ukrainian defender Nazar (call sign “Kapa”), who recently arrived in Australia for medical treatment and spoke in the Australian Parliament the day before, shared his personal account of the real message behind “Russians at War.”

“Our protest at today’s final screening of Russians at War sends a clear message not only to the Antenna Festival, but also to Ukraine’s supporters here in Australia that the threat of foreign interference in Australia is real and present – something that should concern everyone,” the organizers said.

While artistic expression is valuable, propaganda is not art, Argyrou said.