
My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile follows Russian independent journalists forced to leave their country after the invasion of Ukraine. Across several nations, the documentary tracks their dispersed lives, changing circumstances and continued efforts to pursue truthful reporting while confronting the realities of exile and authoritarian pressure.
My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile is a 2026 documentary written and directed by Julia Loktev. It follows Russian independent journalists after they flee the country in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.
The film continues the story begun in Part I, shifting its focus from mounting pressure in Moscow to the journalists’ dispersed lives in exile. With a runtime of 5 hours and 55 minutes, it examines how their work and personal realities change across different countries while they continue seeking the truth.
My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile movie details
| Title | My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile |
|---|---|
| Release date | |
| Runtime | 5h 55m |
| Genres | Documentary |
| Director | Julia Loktev |
| Writer | Julia Loktev |
| Country | United States of America |
| Languages | English, Russian |
| Status | Released |
Story without spoilers
The documentary centers on a group of Russian independent journalists who are forced to leave Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. Separated across different nations, they must navigate new circumstances while maintaining their professional commitment to independent reporting.
Part II follows this displacement and the journalists’ ongoing struggle against authoritarianism. It also serves as a continuation of Part I, which documented their lives in Moscow as pressure from the Putin regime intensified. Rather than focusing on a single location, the film presents exile as a dispersed and continuing reality.
What to expect
As a documentary, the film is built around real-world experiences rather than a fictional plot. Its subject matter includes exile, independent journalism, authoritarian pressure and the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The extended runtime suggests a broad, sustained account of the journalists’ changing lives across multiple countries.
The film is also positioned as a direct continuation of Part I, so its narrative context comes from the earlier chapter’s focus on life in Moscow. The supplied information does not identify individual cast members or describe specific filming techniques, scenes or outcomes.
Cast and creative team
Julia Loktev is credited as both director and writer. No cast members are listed, consistent with the film’s documentary format and its focus on a group of real-life Russian independent journalists.
Release and production context
My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile is listed as a United States of America production with English and Russian as its spoken languages. It has a runtime of 5 hours and 55 minutes and is dated September 4, 2026. The film is classified as a documentary and is associated with JustFilms / Ford Foundation, Catapult Film Fund, Jewish Story Partners and Marminchilla.
Production companies: JustFilms / Ford Foundation, Catapult Film Fund, Jewish Story Partners, Marminchilla
Movies Dock view
With its focus on journalists displaced across national borders, My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile expands the story of Part I into a longer account of life and work after forced departure. Its central subject is the effort to preserve independent truth-telling under continuing political pressure.
Frequently asked questions
What is My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile about?
It follows Russian independent journalists who flee the country after the invasion of Ukraine and navigate life and work in exile across different nations.
Who directed My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile?
Julia Loktev directed and wrote the documentary.
Is My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile a sequel?
Yes. It continues Part I, which documented the journalists’ lives in Moscow amid increasing pressure from the Putin regime.
How long is My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile?
The listed runtime is 5 hours and 55 minutes.
What languages are spoken in the documentary?
The supplied information lists English and Russian.















