My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile (2026) is a documentary about independent Russian journalists who leave their country and attempt to continue their work from abroad. Directed by Julia Loktev, with Anna Nemzer credited as co-director, the film explores exile, freedom of expression, friendship, political pressure, and the difficulties of building a new life far from home.
Unlike a traditional drama, this documentary follows real people facing real challenges. Its story is connected to major political events, but its focus remains on the individuals whose lives have been changed by those events.
The film is particularly interesting for viewers who want to understand how political decisions affect ordinary people. It explores what happens when journalists can no longer work comfortably in their own country and must find ways to continue reporting from unfamiliar places.
With a reported runtime of approximately five hours and 55 minutes, the documentary offers an extended look at its subjects and their experiences. It is designed for viewers who appreciate detailed, character-focused documentaries rather than fast-paced entertainment.
This review uses simple English, an international perspective, and original analysis. It examines the documentary’s story, major themes, filmmaking approach, strengths, limitations, and reasons viewers may want to watch it.
Movie Details
- Movie Title: My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile
- Release Year: 2026
- Genre: Documentary, political and social issues
- Director: Julia Loktev
- Co-Director: Anna Nemzer
- Runtime: Approximately 355 minutes
- Main Subject: Independent Russian journalists living in exile
- Main Themes: Journalism, freedom of expression, displacement, friendship, identity, and political change
1. Introduction to My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile (2026)
Some films tell stories about imaginary characters, while others record the experiences of real people. My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile (2026) belongs to the second category. It is a documentary about independent journalists whose lives change dramatically because of political events in their home country.
The documentary follows Russian journalists who leave Russia and try to continue their professional work from abroad. Their experiences reveal that leaving home does not automatically solve every problem. Although living in another country may provide greater safety, it can also bring financial pressure, loneliness, uncertainty, and difficulties maintaining professional relationships.
For the journalists in this film, exile is not simply about moving to another location. It is about trying to preserve their identities and responsibilities while living far from the country they know.
Their work is connected to Russia, its people, its political institutions, and the information available to the public. Even when they live abroad, they continue to face questions about how to report on events in Russia and how to reach audiences who need independent information.
The film explores these circumstances through the experiences of real people. Rather than presenting the subject only through political speeches or expert explanations, it follows the journalists as they deal with changing circumstances.
This makes the documentary relevant to people interested in journalism, international affairs, freedom of expression, and the human consequences of political conflict.
The documentary also raises important questions. What happens when journalists can no longer work safely in their own country? How does living abroad affect their relationships and professional responsibilities? Can people maintain a connection to home when returning becomes difficult or dangerous?
These questions form the foundation of the film.
2. What Is My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile About?
My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile examines the experiences of independent Russian journalists who leave their country and attempt to rebuild their lives elsewhere.
The story is connected to the political developments surrounding Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The invasion was followed by increased pressure on independent media, making it more difficult for some journalists to continue their work without serious risks.
For journalists committed to independent reporting, this situation created difficult choices. Remaining in Russia could mean facing increasing professional and personal dangers. Leaving could provide greater safety but create new problems involving work, housing, family, and belonging.
The documentary concentrates on what happens after departure.
Leaving a country can happen quickly, especially when someone believes that remaining there is no longer safe. However, building a stable life in another country takes time.
The journalists must adjust to unfamiliar surroundings, maintain their professional networks, and consider how to continue reporting on events in Russia. They may also need to deal with financial difficulties, legal requirements, and the emotional effects of being separated from family members and friends.
The film’s extended timeline allows it to explore these challenges beyond the first days of departure.
This is an important difference between a documentary about an emergency and one that follows the consequences of that emergency. The first may focus on the moment when a person decides to leave. The second can examine how that decision influences the person’s life months or years later.
My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile is concerned with this longer experience.
It shows how political developments can affect professional decisions, personal relationships, and a person’s understanding of home. Its subjects are not simply journalists working in different countries. They are people attempting to preserve their careers and identities while dealing with uncertainty about the future.
For more background, readers can visit the official Venice Film Festival website.
3. The Real People Behind the Documentary
One of the most important features of this film is that it follows real people rather than fictional characters.
The journalists featured in the documentary have different backgrounds, professional experiences, and personal circumstances. Although they share some challenges, they do not necessarily respond to those challenges in the same way.
Some may focus on continuing their reporting. Others may need to concentrate on establishing a stable home, maintaining family relationships, or finding reliable sources of income.
These differences help demonstrate that exile is not a single experience.
Two people can leave the same country under similar circumstances and still face very different futures. Their opportunities may depend on professional contacts, financial resources, family responsibilities, language skills, and the country in which they settle.
The documentary includes journalists such as Anna Nemzer, Valeria Ratnikova, Ksenia Mironova, Elena Kostyuchenko, Yana Kuchina, and other participants whose experiences contribute to the wider story.
Their presence helps move the film beyond a general discussion of political pressure. Instead of considering journalists as one large group, viewers can examine how individuals attempt to respond to changing circumstances.
This approach also makes it possible to consider the personal side of journalism.
Journalists are often known through their published work. Audiences read their articles, watch their reports, or listen to their interviews. However, they may know little about the challenges those journalists face outside their professional activities.
This documentary directs attention towards that less visible part of their lives.
It encourages viewers to consider the people behind the news and the personal decisions that may influence whether reporting can continue.
4. The Meaning of Exile
The word exile is central to understanding this documentary.
Exile generally refers to living outside one’s home country when returning is impossible, unsafe, or heavily restricted. It can result from political pressure, conflict, persecution, or other circumstances that make remaining at home difficult.
However, exile involves more than geographical separation.
A person’s home is connected to language, culture, family, friendships, memories, and familiar routines. Moving to another country may provide a new place to live, but it does not automatically replace these connections.
Someone who leaves home may have to rebuild almost every part of daily life. They may need to find accommodation, establish new friendships, understand unfamiliar systems, and discover how to continue their career.
At the same time, they may remain emotionally connected to the country they left.
This creates a complicated situation for the journalists in My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile (2026). Their physical location changes, but their professional responsibilities remain closely connected to Russia.
They may continue reporting on events taking place in familiar cities and institutions even though they can no longer work from those places in the same way.
The distance can make certain activities more difficult. Sources may be harder to reach, professional relationships may require additional effort, and travel may carry risks that were not previously part of everyday life.
Exile can also affect a person’s sense of identity.
Someone who has spent years developing a career in one country may suddenly have to explain their experience to employers and audiences elsewhere. Their knowledge remains valuable, but the environment in which they developed that knowledge has changed.
The documentary examines these difficulties through the lives of its participants.
Its central concern is not simply where the journalists live. It is how they continue to work, maintain relationships, and make decisions while their connection to home becomes more complicated.
5. Independent Journalism and Its Importance
Independent journalism is one of the film’s most important themes.
Journalism provides information about public events, government decisions, social problems, and other matters that affect people’s lives. Independent reporting can help audiences examine official claims, understand competing viewpoints, and hold powerful institutions accountable.
For journalism to serve this purpose, reporters need the ability to investigate information and publish their findings responsibly.
That does not mean journalists are always correct. They can make mistakes, misunderstand events, or allow personal opinions to affect their work. Good journalism therefore requires evidence, careful verification, transparency, and corrections when errors occur.
However, when journalists cannot report freely, the public may lose access to important information.
The journalists featured in this documentary face the challenge of continuing their work while dealing with political pressure and displacement.
Their circumstances demonstrate that independent journalism depends on more than having a website, newspaper, or broadcasting platform. It also depends on whether reporters can gather information, communicate with sources, and publish their findings without facing unacceptable risks.
Working from exile creates additional challenges.
A journalist may need to develop new professional relationships, establish alternative working arrangements, and find ways to reach an audience that remains in the home country.
They must also consider the safety of their sources. People who provide information about sensitive subjects may face risks if their identities become public.
Responsible journalism requires reporters to think carefully about these risks while maintaining their commitment to accurate reporting.
The film’s subject therefore extends beyond the personal experiences of its participants. It also raises questions about the conditions that allow independent media to operate.
Readers interested in this issue can explore the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, which publish information about press freedom and the challenges journalists face around the world.
6. The Impact of the War in Ukraine
The war in Ukraine provides important historical context for the documentary.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The conflict changed international relations and had serious consequences for people living in both countries.
It also affected public debate, media reporting, and the availability of information about the war.
For independent Russian journalists, reporting on the invasion became particularly difficult as the authorities increased pressure on media organisations and journalists.
The documentary follows people whose professional lives were affected by this changing environment.
Their experiences show that the consequences of war extend beyond soldiers, military operations, and the destruction of buildings. Political conflict can also affect journalists, families, students, professionals, and people who must decide whether to remain in their home country.
The journalists in this film face the challenge of reporting on a war launched by their own government while dealing with the consequences of that government’s actions for their own lives.
This creates a complicated professional situation.
Journalists must distinguish between verified information, official statements, unconfirmed reports, and claims made by interested parties. They must also consider how to report on human suffering without putting vulnerable people at additional risk.
These responsibilities become more difficult when access to information is restricted.
Living abroad does not remove every obstacle. A journalist may be safer in one respect but less able to visit locations, communicate with sources, or observe developments directly.
The documentary’s focus on journalists provides a useful perspective on this part of the conflict.
It shows how war can change the lives of people whose work involves gathering and communicating information rather than fighting on the battlefield.
For wider background, readers can visit the United Nations’ Ukraine crisis information page.
7. The Emotional Cost of Leaving Home
Leaving home can bring relief and opportunity, but it can also create sadness, uncertainty, and isolation.
For the journalists in My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile, these emotions are connected to their professional circumstances.
They may be grateful to have found a safer environment while feeling disappointed that they cannot continue their lives as they once did.
They may be able to work from abroad but still miss family members, friends, familiar places, and the ordinary routines that made life feel stable.
These feelings can exist at the same time.
A person can feel relieved about leaving a dangerous situation while also grieving the life they have lost. They can appreciate new opportunities while wishing they did not have to start again.
The emotional consequences of exile may also change with time.
Immediately after departure, a person may concentrate on urgent practical needs. Finding accommodation, arranging work, and securing the necessary documents may take priority.
Later, once these immediate concerns become more manageable, other questions may become more important.
Will returning home ever be possible? How long will life abroad continue? Will professional relationships survive the distance? How should someone make long-term plans when the political situation remains uncertain?
These questions can influence everyday decisions.
A person may hesitate before accepting a permanent job, beginning a long-term project, or making commitments that depend on remaining in one location.
The documentary’s extended timeline provides an opportunity to consider these longer-term difficulties.
It reminds viewers that displacement is not necessarily resolved when someone reaches a safer destination. Rebuilding a life can require years of effort.
8. Friendship and Community in Exile
Friendship is another important part of the documentary’s wider meaning.
When people leave their home country, they may lose regular contact with the communities that once supported them. Friends who previously lived nearby may now be separated by thousands of kilometres.
Maintaining these relationships requires effort.
People may need to communicate across different time zones, arrange visits when possible, and find new ways to support one another.
For journalists who have left under pressure, professional relationships can also become an important source of practical assistance.
Former colleagues may share information about employment, introduce one another to new contacts, or help each other understand unfamiliar professional environments.
They may also provide emotional support during periods of uncertainty.
However, friendship does not mean that everyone will make the same decisions.
One journalist may want to continue political reporting, while another may need to prioritise family responsibilities or financial stability. These different choices can create disagreements, but they do not necessarily destroy the relationships involved.
The documentary’s focus on a network of journalists encourages viewers to think about how people support one another during difficult periods.
Individual determination can be important, but community also matters.
People often manage major changes more effectively when they can share information, ask for help, and maintain relationships with others who understand their circumstances.
Friendship cannot remove the difficulties of exile, but it can help people preserve a sense of connection and continuity.
9. Freedom of Expression
Freedom of expression is closely connected to the documentary’s subject.
The principle concerns people’s ability to communicate ideas, discuss public matters, and exchange information. It is particularly important for journalists because their work often involves investigating subjects that powerful institutions may prefer to keep private.
The practical protection of this freedom varies between countries, and restrictions can take different forms.
Journalists may face censorship, intimidation, legal pressure, or restrictions on their ability to gather information. In serious situations, these pressures can make it difficult or dangerous to continue working.
The journalists in My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile face decisions about whether they can continue their professional responsibilities while living in Russia.
Leaving may provide greater opportunities to report, but it also creates new challenges.
This raises an important question: what does freedom of expression mean if people technically have the ability to speak but face serious consequences for doing so?
The documentary encourages viewers to consider the difference between having access to a publishing platform and being able to work without unacceptable interference.
It also highlights the importance of professional responsibility.
Freedom of expression does not eliminate the need to verify information, protect vulnerable sources, or correct mistakes. Independent journalism is strongest when freedom is combined with accuracy and accountability.
The film’s subjects are therefore part of a broader discussion about how societies preserve access to reliable information.
10. Julia Loktev’s Filmmaking Approach
Julia Loktev directs the documentary, with Anna Nemzer credited as co-director.
The film follows real people over an extended period rather than relying on actors to recreate their experiences.
This observational approach gives the documentary a different character from a conventional political drama.
A fictional film may use carefully planned scenes, dramatic confrontations, and a clear ending to create an emotional response. A documentary following real people must work with the uncertainty of actual events.
The people being filmed have lives that continue outside the camera’s attention. Their circumstances can change in unexpected ways, and their experiences may not produce a simple conclusion.
This makes observational filmmaking particularly appropriate for a story about exile.
The journalists’ lives involve ongoing decisions rather than one single event. They must continue working, maintain relationships, and respond to changes in their circumstances.
The camera can record aspects of these experiences without requiring every moment to become a dramatic scene.
Everyday conversations and ordinary activities can help viewers understand the people involved.
The film’s extended timeline also allows it to examine how circumstances change over several years.
For a subject involving displacement and uncertainty, this passage of time is important. It helps establish that exile is not simply a journey from one country to another but a longer process of adaptation.
11. The Nearly Six-Hour Runtime
The documentary has a reported running time of 355 minutes, approximately five hours and 55 minutes.
This makes it a substantial viewing commitment.
For viewers accustomed to conventional feature films, the duration may initially seem intimidating. However, the length is connected to the documentary’s broad subject and its focus on multiple people across several countries.
The journalists have different circumstances and experiences. Following them over time allows the film to explore those differences without reducing every story to the same pattern.
A shorter documentary could introduce the main events and explain the historical background. It might have less time to examine the personal consequences of departure and the challenges of rebuilding a life abroad.
However, length alone does not guarantee quality.
A long documentary still needs a clear structure, meaningful developments, and a reason for viewers to remain engaged.
Some viewers may appreciate the opportunity to spend more time with the participants. Others may prefer a shorter film that presents the main information more directly.
Both responses are reasonable.
The best way to approach a documentary of this length is to understand what it offers before watching. This is not a quick introduction to Russian politics. It is a detailed examination of people whose lives have been affected by major political developments.
Viewers should check the runtime and any interval arrangements for their particular screening.
12. The Main Strengths of the Film
One of the documentary’s principal strengths is its focus on real people.
Political events can seem distant when presented only through official announcements, statistics, or discussions among experts. By following journalists through their personal experiences, the film helps connect larger developments with the practical decisions people must make.
Its extended timeline is another important feature.
The film examines what happens after departure, when the immediate emergency may have passed but the consequences remain.
The focus on independent journalism also gives the documentary a clear public-interest dimension. It encourages viewers to consider how reporting works under pressure and why journalists need the ability to investigate and publish information.
The international setting broadens the story. The journalists’ experiences show how moving abroad can create new opportunities while also bringing difficulties involving employment, identity, and belonging.
Finally, the documentary’s observational style allows the participants to remain real people rather than simplified heroes or villains.
Their experiences can be understood without assuming that everyone makes the same choices or responds to pressure in exactly the same way.
13. Possible Weaknesses
The film’s most obvious challenge is its runtime.
At nearly six hours, it requires more time than many viewers are willing or able to commit. People who prefer concise documentaries may find the experience demanding.
The subject matter is also serious. The film explores political pressure, displacement, and the difficulties of continuing professional work under uncertain circumstances.
Viewers seeking light entertainment may not find it suitable for their mood.
The number of participants and locations may also require concentration. People unfamiliar with Russian politics may benefit from reading a short historical overview before watching.
Another consideration is the nature of documentary storytelling.
Real life does not always provide a clear ending. The journalists’ circumstances may remain unresolved, and some of the questions raised by the film may not have straightforward answers.
For viewers who expect every issue to be resolved by the end, this can be frustrating.
However, an unresolved ending can also reflect the reality of the subject. The documentary follows people through a continuing historical situation rather than presenting a fictional story with a predetermined conclusion.
14. Who Should Watch My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile?
The documentary may appeal to several types of viewers.
People interested in journalism: The film explores the relationship between reporting, professional responsibility, and personal safety.
Viewers interested in international affairs: People who follow Russia, Ukraine, media freedom, and political developments may find the personal perspective useful.
Documentary enthusiasts: Viewers who enjoy observational filmmaking and detailed real-life stories may appreciate the extended runtime.
Students and researchers: The film may provide a starting point for studying journalism, political communication, migration, censorship, and documentary filmmaking.
The documentary may be less suitable for viewers who prefer short films, fast-paced action, or stories designed primarily for relaxation.
You do not need to be an expert in Russian politics to understand its central human themes. However, some background knowledge can make the historical context easier to follow.
15. Should You Watch Part I First?
The first film in the project is My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow.
It follows independent journalists in Moscow before and during the period when many of them faced the decision to leave Russia.
Watching Part I can help viewers understand the journalists’ earlier circumstances and the developments that lead into the second film.
It also provides a useful comparison between their lives before departure and their experiences abroad.
However, viewers can approach Part II without necessarily watching the first instalment. Those who want the fullest understanding of the project should watch the films in order.
The first part establishes the earlier situation, while the second focuses on exile and the longer-term consequences of leaving.
Together, they offer a broader portrait of journalists navigating political change and professional uncertainty.
16. Is My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile Worth Watching?
Whether the film is worth watching depends on your interests and expectations.
If you enjoy documentaries about real people, political change, and the human consequences of major events, it is worth considering.
Its main appeal is the opportunity to examine exile from the perspective of journalists who continue trying to do their work after leaving their home country.
The film explores a complicated question: how can people preserve their professional responsibilities and personal identities when the conditions that once supported their lives have changed?
Its long runtime may be a disadvantage for viewers who want a quick viewing experience. However, people who enjoy detailed documentaries may appreciate the time devoted to the participants and their changing circumstances.
The documentary is best approached as a record of real people living through a difficult historical period, rather than as a conventional thriller with a clearly defined ending.
For viewers interested in journalism, media freedom, migration, or international affairs, it offers a meaningful subject for reflection.
17. Where to Find More Information
Readers who want to learn more about the documentary can consult the following resources:
- Venice Film Festival: https://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2026/venice-open-out-competition/my-undesirable-friends-part-ii-%E2%80%93-exile
- New York Film Festival: https://www.filmlinc.org/nyff2026/films/my-undesirable-friends-part-ii/
- RogerEbert.com: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/my-undesirable-friends-part-ii-exile-documentary-film-review-2026
- British Film Institute, Sight and Sound: https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/my-undesirable-friends-part-ii-exile-documentary-sequel-exposing-russian-media-censorship-every-bit-gripping-its-first-instalment
- Official documentary website: https://www.myundesirablefriends.com/
- Committee to Protect Journalists: https://cpj.org/
- Reporters Without Borders: https://rsf.org/en
The film’s official and festival listings are useful for checking its synopsis, production credits, runtime, and screening information. Availability may differ by country, so check current local listings before making plans to watch it.
18. Final Verdict
My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile (2026) is a documentary about independent Russian journalists who leave their country and attempt to continue their work from abroad.
Directed by Julia Loktev, with Anna Nemzer credited as co-director, it examines exile, freedom of expression, friendship, professional responsibility, and the meaning of home.
Its greatest strength is its focus on the human consequences of political change. The journalists are not simply names in a news report. They are people who must make difficult decisions about their work, relationships, safety, and future.
The extended timeline allows the documentary to explore what happens after departure. Finding a new place to live may be an important first step, but rebuilding a stable life can require years of effort.
The film also encourages viewers to consider the role of independent journalism in society. When reporters face serious restrictions, the consequences may affect not only their own careers but also the public’s ability to access reliable information.
Its nearly six-hour runtime makes it a demanding choice, and its serious subject matter will not appeal to every audience. Nevertheless, viewers who appreciate long-form documentaries and real-life stories may find its approach rewarding.
Ultimately, My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile is about more than leaving a country. It is about trying to preserve a sense of purpose, connection, and identity when the future becomes uncertain.
Final recommendation: Worth considering for viewers interested in political documentaries, journalism, freedom of expression, and the personal consequences of exile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year was My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile released?
My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile is a 2026 documentary.
Who directed My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile?
Julia Loktev directed the film, with Anna Nemzer credited as co-director.
What is the documentary about?
It follows independent Russian journalists who leave Russia and attempt to continue their work abroad. The film examines displacement, media freedom, friendship, and the challenges of rebuilding a life in exile.
How long is the movie?
The reported runtime is 355 minutes, approximately five hours and 55 minutes.
Is the film based on real events?
Yes. It is a documentary about real journalists and their experiences rather than a fictional drama.
Do I need to watch Part I first?
No, but watching My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow first can provide useful background and a fuller understanding of the journalists’ experiences.
What are the main themes?
The main themes include independent journalism, freedom of expression, exile, identity, friendship, political pressure, and the meaning of home.
Where can I watch the documentary?
Check the official documentary website, film festival listings, and local cinema listings for current screening or distribution information. Availability varies by location.
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