According to Ukrainian news, in March 2024, a Ukrainian film became a laureate of the Oscar for the first time. The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognised “20 Days in Mariupol” by director Mstyslav Chernov as the best full-length documentary film.
However, the presentation of the award for the film 20 Days in Mariupol was not included in the shortened international TV broadcast of the Academy Awards.
As the director of the film, Mstislav Chernov, said:
“I hope this will bring the story to a larger audience, and they will see and hear the Ukrainians.”
Film is one of the means of communication and memorisation, enlightenment, and raising awareness in society. It’s a way to convey messages, sometimes – the truth. This is a way to show information about Ukraine, also news from Ukraine war.
Also, actors are not just artists. They are influential figures capable of significantly influencing public opinion and values. Their impact can be noticeable both in the cultural and political spheres.
Therefore, The Ukrainian Review has compiled a list of actors who have firmly expressed their support for Ukraine and continue to do so. Additionally, we have spoken with these actors about the importance and significance of cinema.
Why cinema is not beyond politics
We discussed this with Ukrainian actors.
Hrygoryi Baklanov, a theater and film actor. Helps the Ukrainian army by collecting money:
“I’m afraid that any art is not beyond politics. In one way or another, artists put their thoughts, experiences, and feelings into their works, which are inseparable from the time and place where they live.
Now, during the war, politics and cinema are closely intertwined. Because any serious film potentially should be seen in other countries so that they become fascinated with Ukrainian cinema, understand what’s happening here, and show interest in the country.
In Hitler’s Germany, children in schools were taught funny poems about Poles, thus becoming accustomed to the contemptuous image of an entire nation. In Russia, such content existed long before 2014. And the scariest thing is that we also watched it along with them and perceived it as reality, not understanding the manipulations.
In this struggle, we are certainly in a weaker position because lies are unlimited. We only have the opportunity to correct our distorted image and present facts that will not leave doubts and grounds for suspicion that ‘everything is not so straightforward.’ We also have the opportunity to demonstrate our culture, which has enormous potential to attract the whole world.
So, in order for the truth to be on our side, it needs to be conveyed and popularised. Otherwise, it will remain only in our memories without changing history”.
Anastasiya Pustovit, theater and film actress, Systematically volunteers, collects money to help the Ukrainian army. She was also in occupation near Kyiv. Anastasiya shared her thoughts:
“Cinema, like any art in general, cannot be separated from politics, but it should not serve its goals either. As you can see, Russia often uses cinema as a propaganda tool.
In our case, the most well-known example is ’20 Days in Mariupol’, an attempt to draw the world’s attention, which is not very actively helping us now (in my non-expert opinion), but this is a documentary film.
So, this film influences the average viewer, and he, as a potential voter, on his representative in power. Thus, we can really achieve the necessary results and somewhat dispel Russian propaganda, which pours enormous amounts of money into it and daily deceives the Western world.
In the case of art, in my opinion, it is necessary to focus more on the viewer and choose topics that can be discussed now. In order not to traumatise additionally and not to provoke a storm of protest with our negligence.
But cinema, in my opinion, should be not so much political as progressive and a reflection of the times.
We cannot resist Russia in the information field because it objectively has more money, but we can produce quality, truthful content that will make the world pay attention to us after all”.
Yaroslav Shakhatorin, a film actor. Survived the occupation of Hostomel. He adds:
“Being apolitical, in this case, is the same as witnessing someone being killed (and in our reality, it’s true) and doing nothing about it. So, it’s only by speaking up, showing, and beating the drum until it gets results”.
World actors supporting Ukraine
Angelina Jolie
American actress Angelina Jolie has been supporting Ukraine since 2014. Following the full-scale invasion, Jolie visited Lviv as a UN Goodwill Ambassador. The actress, on her social media platforms, urges the world to support Ukraine and not stand aside.
Benedict Cumberbatch
British actor Benedict Cumberbatch has repeatedly expressed his support and solidarity with Ukrainians. In 2022, during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival awards ceremony, the actor took to the stage to accept an award and unfurled a blue and yellow flag.
Katherine Winnick
Canadian actress Katherine Winnick has not only supported Ukraine since the beginning of the war but also visited Kyiv, where she was photographed against enemy equipment in Maidan Nezalezhnosti. Katherine also visited Irpin, where she witnessed the city’s devastation with her own eyes.
She is an ambassador for United24. Additionally, Winnick has established a charitable foundation to help Ukrainian victims.
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher
Hollywood couple Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher are actively volunteering and helping Ukraine. They have raised more than $35 million to aid Ukraine, involving over 65,000 donors worldwide. Additionally, in 2022, they donated 20,000 bulletproof vests to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Jessica Chastain
Actress and producer Jessica Chastain visited Ukraine in August 2022. She visited Irpin and also toured children’s hospitals, interacted with Ukrainians, and visited the office of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Ben Stiller
Hollywood actor and UN goodwill ambassador Ben Stiller also made a volunteer visit to Ukraine in 2022. Ben visited Irpin and Makariv, met with Ukrainians, and listened to their stories.
Jack Gleeson
Irish actor and “Game of Thrones” star Jack Gleeson also visited Ukraine with a mission to deliver a pickup truck from British volunteers for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was a volunteer in Ukraine. The actor conducted several acting masterclasses and workshops, met with Ukrainian service members, participated in charity fundraisers and auctions supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and also visited theaters in the capital.
In addition to the actors mentioned, Jason Momoa, Orlando Bloom, Misha Collins, Stephen Fry, and many others support Ukraine.
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Movies, like any other form of art, cannot be separated from politics. Since they reflect the present and realities, films can tell the truth, influence, and bring about change. Additionally, actors have the opportunity to shape the thoughts and beliefs of audiences and society as a whole. Many people can emulate their example. Such actions help the world to know about Ukraine and latest war news.
Anya Ostymchuk
