One of the festival’s most emotionally impactful moments came during the premiere of My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow, followed by a discussion with Russian journalist Elena Kostyuchenko.
This poignant and much-needed documentary offers a rare insider’s view into the lives and work of independent Russian journalists who continue to fight for freedom and truth in the face of censorship, propaganda, and state violence. Director Julia Loktev’s powerful vision blends global context, investigative depth, and intimate portraits of women persecuted by the regime – among them, Kostyuchenko herself. Despite facing extreme pressure every day, she continues to draw on remarkable strength and resilience.
“I don’t feel safe in Europe, it’s impossible to live without fear. They tried to poison me in Germany. Russian intelligence services are active throughout Europe. Even with an ongoing investigation, the police cannot guarantee my safety,” Kostyuchenko said, sharing her chilling reality. “There’s a race between the Russian authorities and the remaining independent media. They’re trying to block us, and we’re constantly searching for new ways to get through. We depend heavily on the IT community that supports us. But sadly, many people today turn away from the news, they don’t want to hear uncomfortable truths. A growing part of society is choosing ignorance,” she described the broader social impacts of the situation that is not getting any better.
Following the more than 350-minute-long film and a discussion calling for hope and solidarity, Kostyuchenko addressed the KVIFF audience with an emotional closing statement: “I’ve lost everything in my life. Everyday certainties and mundane things can vanish in an instant. But love remains. It drives me forward. It’s the only thing that holds us together. We must never forget that,” she said, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the audience for connecting with the film’s heroines through art.
