The devastating, searing documentary 20 Days in Mariupol has won best documentary Oscar at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
Directed by Mstyslav Chernov, an Associated Press (AP) Ukrainian journalist, the documentary captures the brutal russian invasion of Mariupol – mass graves, ruined buildings, dying children, the bombing of a maternity hospital.
Whilst receiving his award, Mstyslav said he wished he had never needed to make the film. That he could “exchange this for russia never attacking Ukraine, never invading our cities…not killing 10,000 of my fellow Ukrainians.”
But he also said “We can make sure that the history record is set straight and the truth will prevail, and that the people of Mariupol, and those who have given their lives will never be forgotten. Because cinema forms memories and memories form history.”
Thank you Mstyslav and team – Evgeniy Maloletka, Vasilisa Stepaneneko and Lori Hinnant – for your multi-award winning film which has forced the world to witness the ruthless, genocidal war russia has unleashed against Ukraine.
#AFUO
#20DaysinMariupol
#StopRussianAgression