The Earth is Blue as an Orange is a captivating documentary depicting the effects of the 2014 Ukrainian war on its victims and the impact of art with intelligence and affection. The director explores how Anna (a single mother), her elderly mother, two daughters, and two sons survive in the danger zone of war.
Unlike other documentaries, The Earth Is Blue as an Orange is far from a traditional observational film depicting the agony of war witnessed by one of the many Ukrainian households. Instead, it is an "interactive" documentary, made unique by the protagonists' desire to make a film regarding what they have witnessed (and continue to undergo) in their devastated homeland and its war-tone environs.
Throughout the documentary, the director follows the family's ups and downs as they try to embrace the awful truth rocking their nation. Myroslava, one of Anna's kids, aspires to be a photojournalist and earn sponsorship to pursue filmmaking. She and her sister Anastasia turn their sitting room into a makeshift studio before venturing into the suburbs to interview troops.
The sensation expressed is one of a lengthy, possibly endless limbo, an unmanifested realm in which the passage of time is characterized by valuable silence. This defines the nation's instances of truce (and tranquillity) or by the terrifying intense sounds of the explosives and troops rallying. The occurrences keep reminding them that the war's end is yet to arrive.
Tsylik captures the hardships of the household and the anxiety caused by the outdoor conditions with a skillful hand. As a result, they experience sensations of despair, grief, joy, serenity, and perplexity. Nevertheless, the discipline of filmmaking provides a rationale, a purpose, and just a simple delight for the war-torn subjects. Amidst the deep trauma created by difficult times and the absence of a father figure, filmmaking keeps them alive and connected.
Which subject matters does this documentary cover?
This thoughtful documentary is perfect for history majors, especially those wanting to study the trauma families go through during times of war.
What film collection would this film be suitable for?
This documentary would fit on public and academic library shelves specializing in war and political issues. It is suitable for mature audiences because it is entirely filmed in a war-tone environment and a danger zone with constant looming terror.