The short documentary Ukrainians in Exile was shot shortly after the war in Ukraine broke out, leading to a displacement of Ukrainian residents and a refugee crisis that still exists today. In the documentary, a woman in Ukraine tells her story and the hopes she has of other countries taking care of refugees who were forced to leave, a story interwoven with footage of the refugee crisis in the border town of Premsyl, Poland. A
The story itself told in the documentary by Anya (who is kept anonymous for safety) unveils a narrative of truth-telling from her eyewitness account. While Russia continues to deny and/or fabricate accounts of the war between itself and Ukraine, Anya’s narrative provides a contrary narrative to the belief that Russia is not targeting civilians. As she talks of her concerns for her country, she states, “It’s not a war anymore, it’s a crime.” While Russia’s stance is one of continued misinformation (much like what historically occurred during the Chernobyl crisis), Anya’s brief, unadorned, and stark narrative serves as a reminder of the importance of narrative truth, of telling the events that happened through story and providing alternative perspectives, regardless of the danger.
The depictions of the refugees throughout the short documentary support the narrative of Anya, with Janusz Kaminski (Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan) providing the cinematographic perspective of the short documentary alongside the producer Janek Ambros. Children clutching suitcases, parents holding children, and similar images bring the refugees from the shadow of news headlines to the reality of families with faces and names. As the documentary comes to a close, the military presence in Ukraine and the refugee aid become a focus, as shots of soldiers, Humvees, and relief camps dominate the final moments of the documentary.
Overall, the documentary serves the purpose for which Ambros produced the film: “I hope this documentary encourages people to welcome Ukrainian refugees that are in dire need of help as well as other refugees from other conflicts.” Ukrainians in Exile gives insight into the Ukraine conflict, but much like the keyhole shot that closes the short documentary, the insight is all-too-brief, and merely a glimpse at a much larger narrative lurking behind the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
What kind of film series would this documentary fit in?
Ukrainians in Exile is a short documentary that focuses on the experiences of Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homeland due to political upheaval and violence.
This documentary would fit in the category of a historical or political documentary film series that explores the human impact of conflicts and displacement. It could be a part of a larger film series on the history of Eastern Europe or documentaries on refugee and immigrant experiences. Additionally, it could also be a part of a film series on the struggles of marginalized communities or the impact of political conflict on the lives of ordinary people.
What type of classroom would this documentary be used as an educational resource for?
Ukrainians in Exile would work well in a history classroom.
For high school social studies classes, the documentary could be used to introduce students to the topic of political conflict and displacement and to facilitate discussions on the impact of political upheaval on the lives of ordinary people. It could also be used in history classes as a case study for the study of modern Eastern European history.
In college-level classes, the documentary could apply to courses on human rights, international relations, or comparative politics. It could also be included in lesson plans about the role of international organizations in protecting refugees and the impact of political conflict on the lives of displaced persons.
Overall, Ukrainians in Exile would be most suitable for classrooms focusing on social studies, history, political science, or international relations, where students can engage with the topic of political conflict and displacement, and explore the impact on individuals and communities.
Why would it be daring to show this film?
This documentary provides an eyewitness account contrary to the official position of Russia. In March of 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that criminalized any reporting that contradicted the Russian government’s official statements. Russia fabricated narratives that blamed the West and Ukraine for initiating and stoking the conflict.