Join us on February 26 for a special screening to mark the anniversary of the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russia continues to bomb cities, hospitals and civilians, but one truth is now clear to the world—the spirit of the Ukrainian people will not be broken. Hot Docs pays tribute to those who have held on to freedom in this year of darkness. We see your courage and celebrate your light. Slava Ukraini! - Myrocia Watamaniuk, Senior International Programmer
Within hours of Russia bombing Ukraine on February 24, 2022, a particular group of civilians began to mobilize. Ukrainian filmmakers, producers and technical crews flooded social media with messages to arm the streets with cameras and document the truth on the ground. A virtual film collective “Kinodopomoha” sprang into action, posting footage and sharing information from every frontline with a singular directive: “We See Everything.” The result is Ukraine - Overcoming the Darkness, an immediate, unblinking look at the first days of an alleged “special military operation.”
From Irpin, Kyiv and Kharkiv, to Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia and Dmytrivka, cameras remain in shocking proximity to open fire. Soldiers hold onto both water-hoses and machine guns while battling fires. Volunteer-run factories run out of khaki material. Two soldiers get married on the battlefield, intent to carry on living. The destruction is heartbreaking but it is the determination of Ukrainians to resist that is made real.
In Ukrainian with English subtitles.
Join producer Anna Palenchuk and Hot Docs programmer Myrocia Watamaniuk for a post-screening Q&A.
Tickets: FREE
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