The crisis is real and urgent, yet many may feel numb to its effects. The rise of authoritarianism has reached alarming levels in countries like Russia, where journalists are forced to declare themselves “foreign agents” for reporting critically on the regime. But what about the US? Are we witnessing a similar erosion of press freedoms?
Filmmaker Julia Loktev’s latest documentary, My Undesirable Friends: Part I—Last Air in Moscow, sheds light on this disturbing trend. The film follows Russian journalists struggling to cope with the increasingly harsh restrictions imposed by the Putin regime. Despite the dangers and uncertainty, these journalists continue to report, fight for their country’s future, and find ways to stay human.
One of the main subjects of the documentary is 23-year-old Ksenia Mironova, who worked as a journalist in Russia. She recalls the sense of normalcy around her, even as she faced threats and intimidation. “Part of the authoritarian attempt is this sense when you’re living through it that life continues to look normal around you, and you feel slightly schizophrenic,” Loktev says.
Mironova’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of authoritarianism. Despite the challenges, she found strength in her colleagues and their collective determination to fight for their country’s future. “Just be together,” she advises, highlighting the importance of community and solidarity in the face of adversity.
My Undesirable Friends is a sobering documentary that raises questions about our own freedoms and values. Loktev’s film serves as a warning, reminding us that we can no longer take our press freedoms for granted. As the US grapples with its own struggles against authoritarianism, My Undesirable Friends offers a timely reminder of what’s at stake.
As Ksenia Mironova puts it, “I saw a lot of light in my colleagues… And I had people around me who fought a lot for our future, even if we lost.” In the face of uncertainty and danger, these journalists found hope and resilience. It’s a message that resonates with us all: even in the darkest times, there is always a way forward.
Loktev’s film may have started as a response to Russia’s situation, but it has become a universal warning about the dangers of authoritarianism worldwide. As we watch My Undesirable Friends, we are forced to confront our own values and the true cost of our freedoms. Will we choose to stand together, or will we succumb to the darkness? The choice is ours.
Source: https://slate.com/culture/2025/08/russia-free-press-documentary-trump-putin-colbert.html