A filmmaker from Ukraine has characterized his nomination for the Academy Award for best documentary as a mix of both happy and sad emotions.

In January, the Academy Awards revealed that Mstyslav Chernov’s documentary “20 Days in Mariupol” was nominated for Best Documentary.

Produced by The Associated Press and PBS’ “Frontline” and directed by Chernov, the documentary covers Russia’s siege of the city of Mariupol in the first three weeks of the war in Ukraine in early 2022.

An hour before Russia began its bombardment, Chernov, along with photographer Evgeniy Maloletka and producer Vasilisa Stepanenko, had arrived in the Ukrainian city.

In the days that followed, they documented the impact of the attack on both physical structures and human lives. This included tragic events such as the loss of a 4-year-old girl and the destruction of a maternity hospital, as well as disturbing scenes of newly dug mass graves.

Many movie reviewers have commended the film for its unyielding depiction of the invasion.

During an interview with VOA’s Ukrainian Service, Chernov stated that the documentary goes beyond the events in Mariupol and chronicles the destruction caused by Russia’s assaults in all affected cities.

The transcript has been edited to reduce length and improve clarity.

VOA: Congratulations on your nomination. How did you feel when you learned about your nomination?

Reworded: Upon first hearing the news, my initial reaction was a feeling of both excitement and a sense of overwhelming responsibility. This moment serves as a bittersweet reminder that the world is paying attention and we are grateful for that. Yet, it is also a reminder of the immense tragedy that led to the creation of this film.

What does being the first Ukrainian nominee for an Oscar mean for you and for Ukraine?

Chernov: Once again, this brings added responsibility as I am now responsible for not only honoring the memories of the citizens of Mariupol, but also for representing Ukrainian cinema.

And I wish I could represent it in a much better, more peaceful way, but this is what it is now. We are the country at war. We are the country that was attacked, and our cinema will be inevitably telling the story of that war.

The tale of Mariupol has evolved into a representation of the many Ukrainian cities ravaged by Russian bombings. It serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive toll of war on innocent civilians, not just in Ukraine but globally.

There is currently a Russian occupation in Mariupol, according to VOA. As you present this film, what message do you hope to convey to the people in Mariupol?

Chernov stated that after watching the film and talking to internally displaced persons from Mariupol, he always found a sense of hope in them. This hope stems from their strong sense of community, as well as their ability to persevere despite losing so much. They are unable to fully convey the terror and pain they have experienced to others due to their lack of resources.

This movie serves as a means for them to express their experiences and convey their thoughts. I am striving to accurately capture our emotions and theirs. If we are successful, it will be a remarkable achievement.

It is nothing short of a miracle that we survived in Mariupol. It is also miraculous that we were able to create this film. The fact that so many people from around the world watched and empathized with the suffering of Ukrainians is a miracle.

This is specifically for the residents of Mariupol. This narrative focuses on their experiences. It is not centered on ourselves. This nomination is a tribute to them.

This interview was first conducted by VOA’s Ukrainian Service.

Source: voanews.com