20 Days in Mariupol, directed by Mstyslav Chernov)
And film it they did.
There was no other choice for Best Documentary in 2024. No other valid choice, I mean. Many good documentaries appeared, of course, but as far as I am aware none of the film-makers literally risked their lives to make their films, filming while running from gun-shots, peeking out of windows with their cameras, capturing the Russian tanks rolling into the neighborhood, the film-makers holed up in an emergency room, taking photographs that then went around the world. There’s the most famous one of the wounded (soon to be dead) pregnant woman being carried out of the bombed hospital. The film is so harrowing it’s a very difficult watch. Even more difficult now.
I saw this poster while walking through the West Village on a freezing cold day:
I’m proud to stand with Ukraine. Anyone who’s read as much about the old Soviet Union as I have can’t help but stand with Ukraine.
I guess you saw the DISGRACEFUL thing that happened at the White House (If you could bear to). Slava Ukraini!
that disgusting shameful display is why I posted this. :( I mean, I’ve written about the doc – and about Ukraine before – but had to put it up again.
I know. I know. Good Lord on a bicycle … To think it would come to THIS.
I couldn’t sleep last night. It’s so upsetting.
It was particularly disgusting, and fuck knows we see so many disgusting things lately.
I think any right-thinking person supports Ukraine in this conflict, and hopes for the best for the Ukrainian people. The problem is we are $175-180 Billion into this conflict with at least 80-100,000 dead in Ukraine, and something like 400,000 wounded, and I don’t think anyone would argue that Ukraine is in a strong position now. What I never hear from those who support a continuation of the current situation is a strategy or plan that would result in ANY definition of a ‘win’ for Ukraine. All I see is more death and billions more spent in the realization of those deaths. Not to mention the possibility that it could quickly spread into a global conflict with unthinkable consequences. I don’t want to see heartfelt emotions ignore the grim reality, and 2-3 years from now have another 50-75,000 Ukrainians dead and wounded, billions more spent, and a much worse strategic situation on the ground.