During the Russian siege of the Ukrainian city, war reporter Mstyslav Chernov filmed an eyewitness documentary, marking a significant achievement for the country. This documentary has now won an Academy Award, marking Ukraine’s first-ever win in this prestigious category.
The Ukrainian documentary “20 Days in Mariupol,” filmed amidst the besieged port city during the Russian assault, clinched the Best Documentary Oscar at the Academy Awards held in Los Angeles.
Directed by Mstyslav Chernov, a Ukrainian journalist who extensively documented the invasion in early 2022, “20 Days in Mariupol” garnered widespread acclaim following its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 2023. The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw hailed it as “a searing film [that] bears a terrible witness to this great crime” in a glowing five-star review. Chernov, in an interview with The Guardian, characterized the film as “some kind of collective resistance to tragedy.”
The film was widely regarded as a frontrunner for the award, having previously received accolades such as the best documentary awards from Bafta and the Directors Guild of America. Ultimately, it emerged victorious over competitors such as the Ugandan political documentary “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” and the Alzheimer’s study “The Eternal Memory.”
Upon taking the stage, Chernov expressed that the Oscar marked a historic moment as the first-ever win for a Ukrainian film. However, he candidly admitted, “I am honored, but I will probably be the first director on this stage to say that I wish I had never made this film.”
“I wish to be able to exchange this for Russia never attacking Ukraine or invading our cities. I wish to be able to exchange this for Russia not killing 10,000 of my fellow Ukrainians,” Chernov expressed.
He also emphasized his desire to exchange the honor for Russia “releasing the hostages” and “the civilians who are now in their jails.”
While acknowledging his inability to change history or the past, Chernov appealed to the audience, stating, “But we all together, you – some of the most talented people in the world – can make sure the history record is set straight and the truth will prevail, and the people of Mariupol and those who have lost their lives will never be forgotten.”
“Cinema forms memories, and memories form history,” Chernov added, concluding with gratitude towards Ukraine.
