‘My Undesirable Friends’ puts us front row as a real-life Russian TV channel unravels

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Sometimes, the best documentaries happen by chance – a filmmaker is in the right place at the right time and manages to create something amazing from unexpected events. That’s what happened to director Julia Loktev when she went to Russia in October 2021. She originally intended to film a few determined journalists who were being unfairly labeled as foreign agents by the Russian government. She had no idea Russia would invade Ukraine just a few months later, but she ended up capturing a crucial moment in history.

The documentary, “My Undesirable Friends: Part I — Last Air in Moscow,” offers a compelling look inside TV Rain, one of Russia’s final independent TV channels. Spanning five and a half hours, the film follows director Loktev – who left the former Soviet Union as a child – as she returns to her homeland and shadows veteran TV Rain reporter Anna Nemzer. Over four months, culminating shortly before the invasion of Ukraine, Loktev documents Nemzer and other journalists as they navigate the increasing risk of arrest for their work. The film, co-directed by Nemzer, provides an intimate portrayal of their dedication to independent reporting.

Julia Loktev hasn’t directed a feature film since 2011’s “The Loneliest Planet,” a story about a couple whose relationship is tested while backpacking in Georgia. Her previous film, 2006’s “Day Night Day Night,” examined the motivations of a suicide bomber. Both films delved into the complexities of human behavior when people are under stress. Now, with “My Undesirable Friends,” Loktev takes a more direct approach, focusing on a group of people – many young women – who share their honest thoughts and feelings with the camera. They discuss the frightening changes happening in their country, revealing how they’re coping with the rise of authoritarianism in candid conversations filmed at places like the TV Rain studio, their homes, and local cafes.

The journalists featured in the film had no idea what was coming – neither the invasion nor the harsh suppression of free speech that followed. From the beginning, director Loktev establishes this grim reality, stating in a voiceover, “The world you’re about to see no longer exists.” Since its debut at the New York Film Festival last year, “My Undesirable Friends” has been described as both a horror film and a political thriller, but it’s perhaps best understood as a disaster movie. What makes it particularly impactful is that you become deeply invested in the characters, making the eventual tragedy all the more affecting. This film, titled “Part I,” is the first of two installments; the second will follow the women after they leave Russia.

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The documentary relies on personal stories rather than expert opinions, offering a glimpse into the everyday lives of women living under an oppressive regime. It portrays a surprisingly ordinary existence, constantly shadowed by fear and suspicion. We get to know each woman individually: Nemzer juggles a demanding career with family life, while her younger colleague, Ksenia Mironova, continues her work despite her fiancé, journalist Ivan Safronov, being imprisoned for over a year – he would later receive a 22-year sentence. Investigative reporter Alesya Marokhovskaya shares details of a difficult childhood and has a girlfriend who remains unseen. Finally, there’s Irina Dolinina, Alesya’s close friend and colleague, who struggles with anxiety as her mother pressures her to find a partner, disapproving of her being labeled a ‘foreign agent’.

These conversations are filled with tension and worry, but surprisingly, people also find ways to joke about it. For example, when a colleague is briefly detained, Mironova tells jokes while waiting for their release. Journalists, labeled as “foreign agents,” treat the designation ironically, even making fun of the long disclaimers they’re required to include in their reports – it’s a dark way of dealing with a stressful and bizarre situation.

“My Undesirable Friends” is a surprisingly funny film about a difficult period in history, focusing on a group of strong, supportive women. It’s a moving story about people who deeply love their country despite disagreeing with those in power, and it draws you in with its compelling narrative and emotional depth.

Knowing the dangers these journalists face makes their dedication even more inspiring. The film “My Undesirable Friends” beautifully captures the enduring spirit of young people, especially when contrasted with the loss of innocence that often comes with age. These women, having grown up under Putin’s oppressive rule, aren’t naive, but they haven’t lost their belief in the possibility of change. Though the filmmaker, Loktev, largely observes from a distance, her respect for these women is clear. The film is both uplifting and thought-provoking, prompting us to consider what we accomplished at their age – and what we’re doing now to make a difference.

This film should deeply disturb American viewers. While set in Russia, its themes resonate far beyond its borders, especially now. With many fearing a second Trump term, the film eerily mirrors current events – the silencing of performers, the unjust imprisonment of people, and the rise of prejudice. Some might avoid watching it because it’s so unsettlingly relevant, but that’s precisely why it’s so important. The director didn’t intend to create a historical document, but she’s unintentionally captured a crucial moment in time and issued a powerful call to action.

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2025-11-26 03:02