LAHORE: Olomopolo Media, in association with the Embassy of Ukraine in Pakistan, presented the film “20 Days in Mariupol” to the Pakistani public.Olomopolo collaborated with the Embassy of Ukraine for the screening of the film, winner of the 2024 Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. The screening was organized to highlight the human cost and misery of war.

Associated Press video journalist Mstyslav Chernov, along with his colleagues Vasylyna Stepanenko and photographer Yevhen Maloletka, were present at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in Mariupol. The journalists, caught in the city, experienced the brutal destruction by Russian forces, which targeted not only homes but also the lives of many Mariupol residents. On the 21st day of the invasion, they managed to escape through a humanitarian corridor.

The film was made in cooperation with the Associated Press and American documentarians from Frontline. The footage for the film was shot during the first days of the siege of Mariupol. About 10% of the videos and photos were sent from the only location in the city where a mobile signal was available. Around 30 hours of video footage were later taken out through the humanitarian corridor.

The world premiere of the film took place at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the audience prize. The film continued to win multiple awards at various film festivals, and the Ukrainian journalists received the Pulitzer Prize for their work. “20 Days in Mariupol” also received the prestigious Oscar award at the 96th ceremony in 2024, marking the first Oscar in the history of Ukrainian cinema.

Ambassador of Ukraine to Pakistan Markiian Chuchuk said, “The tragedy of Mariupol is a pain that Ukrainians will carry throughout their entire lives. The ashes of Mariupol beat against our breasts.”

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2024