“Courage is when you decide to take action even though you are afraid.” Ukrainian channel 1+1’s war correspondent Natalia Nagorna said, ‘Freedom is burning; The aphorism that summarizes this long film about the beginning of the war in Ukraine, made by filmmaker Evgueni Afineevski in 2022, is “Ukraine’s struggle for freedom”. Because almost two hours of intense shooting were condensed. dozens of stories Heroic actions of an entire country that, two years ago, was invaded overnight and almost without waiting by an enemy far superior in resources and population, but managed to confront, stop and even retreat. From the courage of a survivor of the Bucha massacre Molotov cocktail to russian tanks and helped bury the bodies until the exchanges of Anna Zaitseva. a warrior’s wife who gave birth to her son tunnels huge steel factory Azovstal while awaiting evacuation from the surrounded city of Mariupol.
It wasn’t the first time this Russian-born director had spoken out, although he lives in the United States. tragic changes Slavic country in recent years Fighting the Kremlin. Already in 2015, a Oscar nomination ‘Fiery Winter: Ukraine’s Struggle for Freedom’ film from Hollywood Academy, similar structure and the same narrative tension, 93 days The so-called Revolution of Dignity, which was removed from power in Kiev in 2014, continues Corrupt and authoritarian government related to Viktor YanukovychA president who contradicts his own ideas election promisesrefused to sign the association agreement between his country and the EU and majority desires He was preparing to renounce his citizenship and return to the country. permanently towards Moscow.
US-Ukraine parallel
Afineevski decided to make a film about Ukraine again when he saw how much of the events in Ukraine he observed at the beginning of the occupation. streets of Kyiv The attacks in the winter of 2014-2015 were repeated shortly after in the same North American cities; This suggests the existence of a common connection from abroad – with a veiled reference to the Kremlin – carried out in both countries with the same goals: sowing seeds. chaos, polarize, create fractures in society… “The presence of provocateurs among the ranks of Berkut (disbanded anti-insurgency forces affiliated with the Yanukovych Government) reminded me of what we saw during the protest in the USA Black Lives Matter“, that is, the filmmaker comes to denounce unknown spies who incite violence at demonstrations in order to provoke a reaction.
He was extremely anxious during the presentation of the film at the European Parliament headquarters in Barcelona. a possible victory The case of former President Donald Trump, who vowed to cut off financial aid to Ukraine and half-jokingly even gave the Kremlin leader carte blanche to attack NATO partners. When reminded that polls predict the New York businessman’s victory, he sighs and steps forward: “I think some things could happen between now and the election.”
The documentary includes exclusive images and those of great historical value, such as those taken during the siege mentioned above. Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol probably Dima KozatskyA shocking interview with the photographer and soldier of the Azov battalion, or members of the Vlasenko family, shot at almost point-blank range by Russian soldiers trying to escape from Vortzel, a town occupied by invading troops for several weeks.
There are inspiring moments hopelike a citizen distributing toys and gifts Among others are children taking shelter in Kharkov metro tunnels and others where it is difficult to take their eyes off the screen as a citizen stands in front of them. a tank and try force him to stop despite the obvious risk of expiration crushed. The film was remastered and updated and premiered in February 2023 at the Kiev headquarters of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine. It was included in the official selection of the Toronto Film Festival in 2022 and won the Kineo award at the Venice Biennale in the same year.