Stream ’20 Days in Mariupol’ Free to See Why It Has a Perfect RT Score

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As a journalist who has covered conflicts across the globe for decades, I found “20 Days in Mariupol” to be one of the most harrowing and impactful documentaries I have ever seen. Coming from someone who has witnessed firsthand the atrocities committed during the Bosnian War and the Siege of Sarajevo, this film struck a particular chord with me.

On February 24, 2022, troops from Russia moved into Ukraine. To those observing the situation from a distance, the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin seemed like history repeating itself in some ways. Some of Putin’s methods were strikingly similar to those used by Adolf Hitler, such as justifying a preemptive strike with the help of domestic terrorism and using state-controlled propaganda to make the actions seem justified. It can be easy for events happening far away to feel detached or unimportant, given all the modern distractions we have in our daily lives. However, the conflict in Ukraine, reported by various news outlets, was unfolding at a time when many were adjusting to life returning to normal after a global pandemic.

As a movie enthusiast who values truth above all, I can wholeheartedly recommend “20 Days in Mariupol,” a powerful documentary that offers an unflinching portrayal of reality. Created by Ukrainian filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov, in collaboration with the Associated Press and PBS, this film captures a heart-wrenching period when the city was under relentless siege by Russian forces.

Humanizing the Conflict and Exploring the Toll of War

Since Julius Caesar delivered speeches about his wars in Gaul to the Roman senate, the portrayal of conflicts has been diverse concerning their levels of objectivity and truthfulness. Amidst Putin’s boasts of a preemptive strike and global media reporting on troop deployments and territorial seizures in Ukraine, Chernov offers a heart-wrenching portrait of the hardships endured by the civilian populace. Typical news reports would focus on troop maneuvers and casualties. However, 20 Days in Mariupol delves deeper, providing an exceptional level of detail. Chernov’s cameras capture the brutal reality as Mariupol is bombarded by Russia, presenting some of the most graphic and unsettling visuals seen in recent memory.

From women and children to the elderly, no one is left untouched from the invasion. Viewing 20 Days in Mariupol is a confrontational experience. Chernov’s film provides an undiluted perspective on the human experience of war. The desperation of the population seeking to find shelter and looting and pillaging in hopes of survival is indicative of order descending into chaos. Chernov and his crew brave the bombardments and shrapnel to capture and document images that range from hospitals working around the clock despite lacking the appropriate supplies to the anguish and helplessness of the population.

The events that Chernov and his team document are reminiscent of a similar event that took place in Eastern Europe a few decades earlier, the Bosnian conflict in Sarajevo. The footage documented by Chernov is eerily reminiscent of that which made its way out of the campaign that took place near Srebernicia, where thousands of Bosnian Muslims were massacred on the orders of General Ratko Mladic. The devastation and death and the attempts of those to alleviate the suffering and chaos have a direct correlation with one another as both conflicts are byproducts that have existed since the fall of communism.

War Crimes and Misinformation

20 Days in Mariupol presents an intriguing exploration of the contrast often seen in documenting armed conflicts, particularly when it comes to accusations about atrocities and violations of human rights. The reality of what transpired is one side, while the attempts to justify or dismiss these events through manipulation by spin doctors and skilled deceivers in propaganda are another. This documentary uses footage shot by Chernov and Russian television reports that aired post-release of this footage across various media outlets to shed light on this dichotomy.

A 20-day account, straightforwardly titled “20 Days in Mariupol,” vividly portrays the relentless assault on the city’s civilian populace by the Russian military.Tanks rumble through the city, indiscriminately shelling apartment buildings and maternity hospitals, allowing spectators to comprehend the brutal intensity of the struggle. The catastrophic destruction wreaked by the Russian forces is followed by denials and allegations of staged events in Chernov’s storyline. Putin and the Kremlin have been unyielding in their rejection of any war crimes being committed, claiming that civilian casualties are mere accidents rather than intentional attacks. However, Chernov’s footage contradicts these assertions, offering proof of Ukrainian civilians being deliberately targeted by Russian forces.

In a chilling contrast between public relations specialists and their efforts to hide the truth, Chernov’s footage is presented alongside Russian media reports. The allegations of crisis actors and the blatant denial that these events transpired resonate with American viewers, given the prevalence of mass shootings and certain far-right news outlets questioning the authenticity of such incidents. 20 Days in Mariupol serves as a strong condemnation of Russia’s unwarranted war and the actions taken by their invading troops.

The bravery demonstrated by Chernov and his team in recording these atrocities against humanity and disseminating them to news sources to inform the global community underscores the significance of staying informed about events occurring in distant parts of the world. Operating under dangerous conditions, often behind enemy lines, and managing to evade capture and death, Chernov’s work on “20 Days of Mariupol” offers us an opportunity to face one of the most significant tragedies of our contemporary era.

What We’ve Learned from 20 Days in Mariupol

At the end of the documentary titled “20 Days in Mariupol“, it’s stated that around 25,000 people perished during the siege, with the possibility of a higher toll. The question arises: What insights have we gained from Chernov’s experience spending 20 days amidst the flames of war in Mariupol? Through Chernov’s film, we are given a vivid portrayal of the conflict that some may find hard to connect with due to its distance. We see up close the pain and agony experienced by a population during wartime, as well as the bravery and resolve of those who risk their lives to ease the suffering and spread awareness about such an appalling catastrophe among a wider community.

Above all, the documentary “20 Days in Mariupol” underscores the relevance of the age-old saying, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” The heartrending scenes depicted in Bosnia and Sarajevo during the 1990s, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine today, and the unpredictable nature of global events yet to come make “20 Days in Mariupol” a profoundly impactful and thought-provoking film for years to come. Future generations may find themselves questioning how such tragic events could occur, leaving them with a sense of bewilderment. Stream it on Hoopla.

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2024-12-02 06:01