'My Undesirable Friends' Documentary Explores Lives of Russian Journalists

Part one of the film offers an intimate look at female reporters deemed 'foreign agents' by the Russian government.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:08pm

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An abstract close-up photograph of a heavily textured, crumpled piece of newsprint paper, conveying the challenges faced by independent journalists through the use of dramatic lighting and material.The documentary 'My Undesirable Friends' offers a rare, intimate look at the personal lives of female journalists in Russia who have been labeled 'foreign agents' by the government.Burlington Today

This week, film critic Julia Swift reviewed the first part of the documentary 'My Undesirable Friends', which delves into the lives of female journalists working for an independent outlet in Russia. The documentary follows these reporters who have been labeled 'foreign agents' by the Russian government, requiring them to disclose this status when reporting. Swift notes the film provides a rare, in-depth look at these women's personal lives beyond their work, offering a 'beautiful view of these strong, independent, brave young women' amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Why it matters

The documentary sheds light on the challenges faced by independent journalists in Russia, who must navigate restrictive government policies and labels that impact their ability to report freely. It provides a human perspective on the realities of working as a journalist under these circumstances.

The details

The documentary 'My Undesirable Friends' follows the stories of female journalists working for an independent media outlet in Russia. These reporters have been deemed 'foreign agents' by the Russian government, requiring them to disclose this status when reporting. The film offers an intimate look at their lives beyond the newsroom, showing them at parties and in other personal settings.

  • The documentary 'My Undesirable Friends' was reviewed this week by film critic Julia Swift.

The players

Julia Swift

A film critic who reviewed the first part of the documentary 'My Undesirable Friends'.

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What they’re saying

“We see these women outside of work, at parties, and we really get to know what makes up their lives amidst ongoing conflict.”

— Julia Swift, Film Critic

“This is a 'beautiful view of these strong, independent, brave your women.'”

— Julia Swift, Film Critic

The takeaway

The documentary 'My Undesirable Friends' provides a rare, intimate look at the personal lives of female journalists in Russia who have been labeled 'foreign agents' by the government, shedding light on the challenges they face in reporting independently.