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    Hello /r/movies, I’m Julia Loktev, director of Mubi’s Oscar-shortlisted documentary MY UNDESIREABLE FRIENDS – PART 1 – LAST AIR IN MOSCOW. It follows independent Russian journalists covering the invasion of Ukraine as Putin’s government cracked down on free speech. AMA!


    Hello r/movies, I'm Julia Loktev. I directed MY UNDESIREABLE FRIENDS – PART 1 – LAST AIR IN MOSCOW, which is available to watch now digitally on Mubi.

    It premiered at NYFF in 2024, won Best Documentary Feature at the Gotham Independent Film Awards this past December, and was Shortlisted for the Academy Awards this year.

    Synopsis:

    Julia Loktev documents independent journalists in Moscow facing government crackdown as Russia invades Ukraine, capturing their fight for speech amid risks of being branded "foreign agents" and the country's drift towards authoritarianism.

    Trailer:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMIEVj_PKX8

    • Runtime: 5h24
    • Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
    • Metacritic: 94/100
    • Watch Here: Mubi

    I've also directed 2011's THE LONELIEST PLANET (Starring Gael García Bernal and Hani Furstenberg) and 2006's DAY NIGHT DAY NIGHT.

    AMA! I'll be back today at 3 PM ET to answer questions.

    by JuliaLoktev

    View 15 Comments

    15 Comments

    1. uglylookingguy on

      Hi 👋

      For someone interested in documentary filmmaking, what’s the most important thing to focus on when telling sensitive, real-world stories like this?

    2. robowire_ on

      What’s your favorite documentary not made in English language? (Sorry English isn’t my native tongue)

    3. BunyipPouch on

      Hi Julia, thanks for joining us!

      Considering the length (over 5 hours!), did you ever consider making this a miniseries? Or was it always the plan for a two-part doc?

      And do you think Part 2 will also premiere at NYFF?

    4. JayAPanda on

      Hi Julia,

      How was it for you to make a film that involved a constantly evolving story like this, especially one that was so personal? How did you make decisions about what parts of you and your friends/colleagues’ experiences to document?

      Also, do you have any updates about the release plans for Part 2? I am very much interested in following the next part of your story.

      Thanks in advance!

    5. GiraffeTraditional81 on

      Hi, I think the movie you’ve captured is tremendously important nowadays. What I feel sad about is the fact, that only handful of people at the festivals have the opportunity to watch it. Will it be available to broader audience anytime soon? 

      Has the Russian government commented on behalf of your masterpiece in any way trying to discredit it (as they did with Mr. Nobody against Putin)? 

      Thank you, and can’t wait for part 2!

    6. Affectionate-Test-22 on

      Loved the documentary! Watched it in one sitting and was glued to the screen the whole time. When will we get part 2, and is it officially titled? 

    8. Embarrassed-Big-9195 on

      I randomly stumbled upon Day Night Day Night last year and it’s maybe the most suspenseful thriller I’ve ever seen, such a great film that so few people have watched.

      When you’re making narrative films at such a small scale like that, and now documentaries, how difficult is it to make a living as a director without doing commercial films?

    9. NormalTree316 on

      Hi Julia! Thanks for doing this AMA, I’m a big fan.

      I watched DAY NIGHT DAY NIGHT in theaters, and Luisa Williams makes such a strong impression. She seemingly hasn’t done much else, and Gael Garcia Bernal is the most recognizable face in LONELIEST PLANET. Other than those two narrative films, you’ve made documentaries, so I’m curious if you have a conscious approach towards professional actors, or if you just prefer the vérité approach?

      Thank you again!! (I’d also love to hear about your time at Eyebeam)

    10. GregJamesDahlen on

      Is it scary to be the documentarian here? Were you in danger of being arrested, imprisoned, etc?

    11. BunyipPouch on

      Do you feel you were ever in danger during the shoot? I watched Mr Nobody Against Putin and there was a real sense that danger was close. I was wondering if you ever felt that yourself?

    12. Forsaken-Feedback-33 on

      What have you heard from Ukrainians about the film?

      What were the biggest insights/lessons for you making the film as an American right now?

      What do you think people in the US most need to learn/internalize from the film?

    13. birdlawspecialist1 on

      Hi Julia,

      I’m seeing My Undesirable Friends tomorrow and couldn’t be more excited! I guess my question would be how you came to this project after directing two narrative features? Plenty of cinephiles have been waiting to see your next feature project after The Loneliest Planet, so I would love to hear what you have been up to in the meantime and how you arrived at this film!

    14. iamamovieperson on

      Now that you have done so many Q&As and interviews about this film, what is your favorite question to be asked and what is a question you’re surprised you don’t get asked more if ever?

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