Review: ‘My Undesirable Friends’ – A Documentary on Russian Journalists Facing Repression Before the Ukraine Invasion

Julia Loktev’s documentary *My Undesirable Friends* captures the intense and precarious lives of independent Russian journalists in the months leading up to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Filmed on an iPhone, the five-and-a-half-hour documentary documents their struggles with government repression, the risks of being labeled ‘foreign agents’, and the emotional toll of standing up for truth in a regime tightening its grip on the media. The film delves into the lives of anchors, reporters, and podcasters, primarily at the independent news channel TV Rain. Loktev explores their dark humor, strained relationships, and the tough decisions they face, including whether to leave the country or risk imprisonment. The film presents a powerful narrative of resistance and the personal costs of fighting for free expression in a climate of growing authoritarianism. As the conflict in Ukraine escalates, the journalists’ situation becomes more urgent, and *My Undesirable Friends* evolves from a documentary into a heartbreaking exploration of the human cost of dissent under totalitarian rule. Loktev’s approach, immersive and deeply personal, makes this documentary one of the most powerful of the year, highlighting both the courage and vulnerability of these individuals as they face impossible choices.