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The film “20 Days in Mariupol” directed by Mstislav Chernov won an Oscar

11.3.2024
2
min read

A historic event for Ukraine. The documentary film “20 Days in Mariupol” by director, journalist, founder of the UAFF Mstislav Chernov brought our country the first Oscar.

In Los Angeles on the night of March 11, the 96th ceremony of the most prestigious American film awards was held, which celebrates the merits of filmmakers for 2023. The dream figurine in Hollywood was first received by Ukrainians. The film “20 Days in Mariupol” is recognized as the best in the category “Feature Documentary”.

Mstislav Chernov climbed to the stage together with the team with whom he worked on the film. He gave a speech, after which the audience applauded standing: “This is the first Oscar in the history of Ukraine. It's a great honor for me. But maybe I'll be the first director in history on this scene to say, “I wish I never had to make this movie. I would like to change this to the fact that Russia never attacks Ukraine and never occupies our cities.”

With the statuette in his hands, Mstislav Chernov remembered the civilians and military who are in Russian captivity. He noted that talented people can correct history and make the truth prevail.

“People from Mariupol and those who gave their lives so that they would never be forgotten. Because cinema forms memories, and memories form history,” Mstislav Chernov said emotionally. The Oscar-winning director concluded his speech with the words “Glory to Ukraine!”.

The 20 Days in Mariupol team supports Mstislav Chernov on the stage of the Oscar Awards. Los Angeles, USA. March 11, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Mike Blake

In addition to “20 Days in Mariupol”, four other films competed in the category “Best Documentary”: Bobi Wine: The People's President; The Eternal Memory; Four Daughters; To Kill a Tiger.

What do you know about the film?

In March 2022, Mstislav Chernov, along with his Associated Press colleagues Yevgeny Maloletka and Vasilisa Stepanenko, were the only international team of journalists working in Mariupol and sending materials from there. The documentary shows the beginning of a full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, the lives of peaceful residents of Mariupol under siege, the bombing of the hospital and residential quarters of the city, as well as the places of mass burials.

In 2023, the authors of the tape became the winners of the Pulitzer Prize in the category “Service to Society”. Also, “20 Days in Mariupol” won the nomination “Best Documentary” at the prestigious British awards BAFTA Film Awards. In addition, Mstislav Chernov was awarded the prize Directors Guild of the United States for “outstanding directorial achievements in documentary film”.

The material was worked on:
Researcher of the topic, author of the text: Vira Labych
Literary Editor: Julia Futei
Bildeditor: Vyacheslav Ratynskyi
Site Manager: Vladislav Kuhar

A historic event for Ukraine. The documentary film “20 Days in Mariupol” by director, journalist, founder of the UAFF Mstislav Chernov brought our country the first Oscar.

In Los Angeles on the night of March 11, the 96th ceremony of the most prestigious American film awards was held, which celebrates the merits of filmmakers for 2023. The dream figurine in Hollywood was first received by Ukrainians. The film “20 Days in Mariupol” is recognized as the best in the category “Feature Documentary”.

Mstislav Chernov climbed to the stage together with the team with whom he worked on the film. He gave a speech, after which the audience applauded standing: “This is the first Oscar in the history of Ukraine. It's a great honor for me. But maybe I'll be the first director in history on this scene to say, “I wish I never had to make this movie. I would like to change this to the fact that Russia never attacks Ukraine and never occupies our cities.”

With the statuette in his hands, Mstislav Chernov remembered the civilians and military who are in Russian captivity. He noted that talented people can correct history and make the truth prevail.

“People from Mariupol and those who gave their lives so that they would never be forgotten. Because cinema forms memories, and memories form history,” Mstislav Chernov said emotionally. The Oscar-winning director concluded his speech with the words “Glory to Ukraine!”.

The 20 Days in Mariupol team supports Mstislav Chernov on the stage of the Oscar Awards. Los Angeles, USA. March 11, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Mike Blake

In addition to “20 Days in Mariupol”, four other films competed in the category “Best Documentary”: Bobi Wine: The People's President; The Eternal Memory; Four Daughters; To Kill a Tiger.

What do you know about the film?

In March 2022, Mstislav Chernov, along with his Associated Press colleagues Yevgeny Maloletka and Vasilisa Stepanenko, were the only international team of journalists working in Mariupol and sending materials from there. The documentary shows the beginning of a full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, the lives of peaceful residents of Mariupol under siege, the bombing of the hospital and residential quarters of the city, as well as the places of mass burials.

In 2023, the authors of the tape became the winners of the Pulitzer Prize in the category “Service to Society”. Also, “20 Days in Mariupol” won the nomination “Best Documentary” at the prestigious British awards BAFTA Film Awards. In addition, Mstislav Chernov was awarded the prize Directors Guild of the United States for “outstanding directorial achievements in documentary film”.

The material was worked on:
Researcher of the topic, author of the text: Vira Labych
Literary Editor: Julia Futei
Bildeditor: Vyacheslav Ratynskyi
Site Manager: Vladislav Kuhar

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