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Meryl Streep and Laura Poitras join documentary 'My Undesirable Friends: Part II' as executive producers

Julia Loktev's film chronicles exiled Russian journalists following Moscow's crackdown after the invasion of Ukraine.

The short version

  • Meryl Streep and filmmaker Laura Poitras have signed on as executive producers for Julia Loktev's documentary 'My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile'.
  • The project documents independent Russian journalists who were forced into exile across multiple countries after the Kremlin labeled them foreign agents and shut down independent outlets.
  • The documentary is set to debut at the Venice Film Festival before appearing at the New York Film Festival, in theaters, and on the streaming platform Mubi.

Key facts

  • Meryl Streep and Oscar-winning director Laura Poitras have joined 'My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile' as executive producers.[The Hollywood Reporter]
  • The documentary is directed, produced, and filmed by Julia Loktev, serving as a sequel to her 2024 film 'My Undesirable Friends: Part I – The Last Air in Moscow'.[The Hollywood Reporter]
  • The film tracks exiled Russian journalists across a dozen nations over four years following the Russian government's crackdown on independent press after the invasion of Ukraine.[The Hollywood Reporter]
  • The production will premiere at the Venice Film Festival, followed by a screening at the New York Film Festival and releases in theaters and on Mubi.[The Hollywood Reporter]

What remains uncertain

  • Specific theatrical and streaming release dates on Mubi later in the year have not been announced.[The Hollywood Reporter]

Sources