Julia Loktev Exposes the Exodus of Russian Journalists at Venice

On the opening night of the Venice Film Festival, director Julia Loktev’s follow‑up documentary, *My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile*, hit the screen. The film chronicles a group of Russian journalists who fled Moscow after the country’s invasion of Ukraine and the sudden shutdown of independent media.

Their story—of hurried departures, cramped accommodations, and relentless reporting from abroad—was captured in intimate detail by Loktev, co‑director Anna Nemzer, and editor Michael Taylor.

The film is a direct continuation of *My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow*, which turned a documentary about the same journalists into an international sensation.

Part I was shortlisted for the Academy Awards, won the Gotham Award, and received top honors from the New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, and National Society of Film Critics.

It also appeared on the New York Times, The New Yorker, New York Magazine, NPR’s Fresh Air, and Slate Top 10 Films of the Year lists.

**## Background & Context**

Julia Loktev’s debut feature followed Anna Nemzer, Irina Dolinina, Ksenia Mironova and other reporters as they documented the last days of independent journalism in Moscow. Their footage—shot in secret, often under threat—garnered widespread acclaim and brought international attention to the plight of Russian journalists.

The first film’s accolades—including a Gotham Award win and nominations from several critics’ circles—cemented Loktev’s reputation as a keen documentarian of political upheaval. Meryl Streep and Laura Poitras, both Oscar winners, joined the project as executive producers, lending the series additional visibility and prestige.

**## What the Film Reveals**

*Part II – Exile* follows the same journalists over four years as they scatter across Warsaw, Hamburg, Istanbul and New York to evade imminent arrest in Russia. The synopsis describes their abrupt exit from Moscow: “Just days before, they were working as part of a vibrant opposition community.

Now they’re part of a historic exodus.” They leave with only carry‑on suitcases, no clear destination, and the urgent task of continuing to report on the war that has become the most significant story of their lives.

The documentary shows them gathering in apartments that feel like waystations or borrowed offices, constantly uprooted yet determined to keep telling the truth.

The film emphasizes their dual mission: to provide Russians with an alternative to state propaganda and to expose war crimes committed by their own government. It also portrays the personal moral accountability each faces as Russia menaces them with criminal prosecution at home and physical threats abroad.

The narrative is described as “intimate and immersive,” featuring “a complex, razor‑sharp and often very funny women— and a few men.”

**## What Happens Next**

After its Venice premiere, *Part II – Exile* will screen at the New York Film Festival, where Part I opened in October 2024. Loktev is self‑distributing the film theatrically, while MUBI has acquired streaming rights for both parts; Part I is already available on the platform.

Critics and industry insiders are calling Part II an “expected Oscar contender this year.” The documentary’s distribution strategy—combining limited theatrical runs with a streaming release—mirrors the hybrid model that proved successful for its predecessor.

The film’s release strategy underscores the urgency of its content. By making it available through mainstream streaming as well as festival screenings, Loktev and her team aim to broaden the audience for a story that remains crucial amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

With both parts now accessible, viewers can follow the entire arc of these journalists’ exile and their relentless pursuit of truth.

The premiere at Venice signals not only another milestone for Julia Loktev but also a renewed spotlight on the courageous reporters who risk everything to bring Russia’s reality to the world.