Alliance Francaise, Embassy of Ukraine present film “20 Days in Mariupol” to Pakistani public

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Alliance Francaise of Islamabad in association with the Embassy of Ukraine in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan presented the film “20 Days in Mariupol” to the Pakistani public.

Ali Bhatti, director of Alliance Française d’Islamabad (AFI), while welcoming the guests mentioned the objectives of AFI as promoting culture, both of Francophone countries and Pakistan. Thereby, helping to develop intercultural understanding and communication.

AFI also provides a platform to artists, writers, filmmakers, culture activists and other intellectuals to engage into a dialogue. In this connection, it is collaborating with the Embassy of Ukraine in screening of “20 Days in Mariupol”, winner of 2024 Oscar for the Best Documentary Feature. The screening was organised to underline the human cost and misery of war. More than 100 people attended the screening.

Associated Press video journalist Mstyslav Chernov, along with his colleagues Vasylyna Stepanenko and photographer Yevhen Maloletka, met the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in Mariupol. Journalists who were cought in the city experienced the shock of the brutality with which the Russians destroyed not only houses, but also the lives of many Mariupol residents. On the 21st day of the invasion, they managed to leave through the humanitarian corridor.

The film “20 Days in Mariupol” was made in cooperation with the Associated Press and American documentarians from Frontline. The material 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 one point in the city where a mobile signal available. About 30 hours of video were taken out through the humanitarian corridor. The world premiere took place at the Sundance Film Festival, where the film won the audience prize. After that, there were screenings and winning of awards at 6 more festivals. Ukrainian journalists received the Pulitzer Prize for their work.

The film “20 Days in Mariupol” received the prestigious Oscar award at the 96th ceremony in 2024. This is the first Oscar in the history of Ukrainian cinema.

Screening was followed by an online presentation by and discussion with co-producer of the film Vasilisa Stepanenko, an Oskar and Pulitzer winner journalist.

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