KDocsFF closes on February 25 with two freedom-of-speech films, The Price of Truth and Section 16

Tickets to the screenings also include access to a Closing Night Reception with appetizers and a drink

SPONSORED POST BY KDocsFF

The Price of Truth.

A Metro Vancouver film festival that centres powerful social justice works, KDocsFF, launches its 10th edition at the VIFF Centre from February 21 to 25. Closing Night has plenty in store for guests starting at 5 pm, including the Canadian premiere of director Patrick Forbes’s feature The Price of Truth, followed by a screening of filmmaker Emilie Gambade’s short Section 16.

The Price of Truth is the extraordinary story of a man who risks everything to preserve freedom of speech in Russia. It is a tale of bravery, defiance, and a simple refusal to give in to Vladimir Putin—whatever the cost.

In December 2021, Dmitry Muratov is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize as editor-in-chief of Russia’s only independent newspaper, Novaya Gazeta. Since he founded the paper, six of his journalists have been murdered after their reports displeased the state—most famously, Anna Politkovskaya, who was gunned down in the lift of her Moscow apartment.

Another war dominates this film. In February 2022, Russia invades Ukraine. In early March, using the cover of a documentary film festival, Muratov secretly negotiates free passage for 40 journalists with the Latvian government. Then, all too aware of the risk he is running, he returns to Moscow to look after his paper and its remaining staff.

Shortly after Muratov announces that he is going to auction his Nobel Peace Prize medal and give the money to Ukrainian refugees, he becomes the victim of a crime: a masked attacker pours red acetone-laced paint all over him, permanently damaging Muratov’s eyesight. Undaunted, he goes ahead with the auction—and on June 21, his medal sells for a record $103 million. To this day, Muratov refuses to leave Moscow, whatever the pressure may be on him and his team.

In Section 16, four leading South African investigative reporters disclose how female journalists in the country who expose wrongdoing by those in power are often forced to endure deeply personal, frightening attacks on social media.

A panel discussion and Q&A with keynote speakers will follow the screenings. Tickets also provide access to the Closing Night Reception, which includes appetizers and a drink.

More information is at KDocsFF.

Post sponsored by KDocsFF.

Section 16.