Ukraine, Brave and Suffering. The Creators Presented the Documentary 2000 Metres to Andriivka

Oscar-winning director and war journalist Mstyslav Chernov and his colleague, director of photography Alex Babenko introduced an extremely emotional screening of the uncompromising documentary 2000 Metres to Andriivka, which takes the audience right in the midst of the terrible and devastating Russian war in Ukraine, someplace near the eponymous village at the key strategic location.

Standing ovation followed after the closing credits and the introduction of the delegation, whereby the audience praised the intense portrayal of the infamous topic, expressing their respect, shared pain, and empathy. “I wish this applause could reach the soldiers. Only their courage and commitment made the film possible. It’s a very personal matter to us. We are grateful to them, and to you for coming with us to a world that’s seemingly distant, yet terribly close,” Chernov commenced his speech.

By using small cameras worn by the soldiers at all times, the authors wanted to eliminate the distance between the protagonists and the audience, erase the boundaries between societies, and convey the soldiers’ authentic and brutal experience to the audience. When asked how filmmakers manage to balance the filmmaking profession and the pain of watching people die, Chernov replied: “Once you get in the trench with a soldier, you’re no longer a reporter. You’re just two human beings who could die at any moment. That’s the strongest bond. Many of the soldiers we’ve collaborated with have died. It has affected the film, and it has affected us. We know that the dead soldiers’ relatives will see footage of their loved ones.  Every extra second of footage with these people is a treasure.”

“In February 2024, the work became very difficult. Three of our soldiers were killed. When we premiered the documentary in Kyiv a month ago, families came to see the footage of the soldiers who’re now gone. Thanks to the film, they can show their grandchildren what their grandfather looked like. Preserving the memories is crucial,” added Babenko.

Despite the dark topic and tragic events, the debate was held in empathetic and encouraging spirit. Chernov emphasized the fighting spirit of the entire nation, which has been facing the Russian aggression since 2014. “Everyone is tired, everyone wants peace. Your neighbour is the only person you can rely on. That’s what’s holding Ukraine together,” noted Chernov somewhat bitterly. After the debate, strong yet shattered applause was heard from the audience while the two filmmakers were leaving.