(blog article)

In a night marked by glittering stars and foreseen victories, the 96th Academy Awards ceremony bore witness to an unexpected but extremely significant triumph. While Hollywood’s gaze was predominantly focused on such great movies as ‘Oppenheimer’ or ‘Poor Things,’ there was a modest yet powerful documentary that stole the spotlight and captured hearts worldwide. ‘20 Days in Mariupol,’ directed by the brave Ukrainian military journalist Mstyslav Chernov, appeared as a sparkle of truth among all that glamour and received the longed-for Oscar for Best Documentary Film.

The significance of this victory cannot be overstated. In a world overflowing with cinematic masterpieces, it was a Ukrainian film that left a lasting mark in the history of cinematography. ‘20 Days in Mariupol’ goes far beyond the everyday things or entertainment that everyone is used to seeing on screens. It is all about the terrifying days of the beginning of the russian full-scale invasion of peaceful civilian lives. The film serves as evidence of the persistent spirit of journalistic dignity and the harrowing realities of conflict.

Set against the background of the russian federation’s disgraceful invasion of Ukraine, Chernov’s lens looked deeply into the heart of darkness that swallowed up the occupied city of Mariupol. Side by side with his fearless colleagues, photojournalist Evgen Maloletka and producer Vasylisa Stepanenko, Chernov went right into the epicenter of chaos, armed with nothing but their cameras and an unwavering commitment to truth-telling. Their mission was absolutely dangerous and there was a constant risk of dying, but they withstood the terrors of the war to document the untold stories of suffering and resilience of Ukrainians.

The footage captured within ‘20 Days in Mariupol’ is not just a chronicle of historical events, but a burning indictment of uncontrollable russian aggression that caused tens of thousands of human suffering. From the continuous bombing and shelling of civilian infrastructure to the painful cries of the wounded, every frame demonstrates the brutal atrocities and crimes committed by the russian forces. The film shows the harsh reality of modern war, where innocent lives are sacrificed at the altar of geopolitical ambitions.

Chernov’s impressively powerful acceptance speech resounded through the halls of the Dolby Theater, sharply reminding people about the ongoing fight for survival and fairness in Ukraine. His appeal for peace and justice,  for a world free from tyranny and bloodshed touched the audience’s souls worldwide. It has nobody left indifferent, evoking a dramatic ovation.

The triumph of ‘20 Days in Mariupol’ at the Oscars 2024 is not merely a victory for Ukrainian cinema; it is a triumph of humanity over indifference, of courage over cowardice. The crimes of the first days of the siege of Mariupol, and the terrible consequences of Russian shelling and bombing there and in other Ukrainian cities need to be revealed to the world community. The wars, here or there, are something the world can never afford to forget, and it has to fight for a peaceful life and people’s rights. And let this cinematic victory be the beginning of the world where everyone is conscious. Glory to Ukraine.