Ukrainian filmmakers spread awareness

To commemorate the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, an evening was held at Te Noninga Kumu (Motueka Library) with Ukrainian film producers Mariia and Anastasiia Starozhytska.

Organised by Kathy Lloyd, the fundraising co-ordinator with Tautoko Ukraine Charitable Trust in Nelson, the evening was also a fundraiser.

“With the film makers here, it’s an opportunity to spread awareness of what is happening in Ukraine with the continuing war,” Kathy says.

“Russian terrorist attacks, the spread of disinformation by Russia, children being taken to filtration camps, and the fastest displacement of people since World War II,” she says.

“It is genocide and comparable to what happened in World War II with Hitler.”

While the United Nations ‘official’ figure of civilian casualties in Ukraine is quoted as 10,000, it is considered much closer to 100,000.

A YouTube documentary, ‘Culture vs War’, produced in 2022 by Ukraine’s world-acclaimed band Antytila, was shown, giving attendees some idea of what it is like for Ukrainians to leave home and family, and go to war.

Attendees were also treated to some heart-felt poetry by Mariia from her book ‘What For?’ which she published in 2015, giving her personal insight into living with war. Mariia read each poem first in Ukrainian, followed by Anastasiia reading it out in English.

Mariia and Anastasiia are mother and daughter and came to New Zealand on temporary special visas after Russia’s full-scale invasion on Ukraine two years ago, leaving behind their family and friends.

They have settled in Auckland while Mariia’s husband and Anastasiia’s boyfriend remain in Ukraine fighting the war, as all males from 25 – 60 years must do.

With all the fighting and turmoil that had preceded the invasion, Mariia and Anastasiia decided to make a documentary about it so all the world could see what was happening.

“It is a fight for our democracy,” Anastasiia says.

‘The War of Chimeras’ was released in Auckland last September. It had a full-house when screened at the Suter in Nelson recently, and was shown at the Gecko in Motueka last Monday.

The film documents events preceding the 2022 invasion, focusing on the Battle of Ilovaisk. It is about war, love and death, and covers everything that has happened in Ukraine in recent years.

“The film is a personal story of my boyfriend Valeriy Lavrenov, a volunteer soldier who escaped the Ilovaysk Cauldron. It was a big, bloody battle,” says 35-year-old co-producer and director Anastasiia.

She explains that the first years of war were in 2014 when Russia invaded Crimea, annexing it. This occurred after civilian demonstrations and protests in Kyiv, 2013, over President Viktor Yanukovych’s siding with Russia, known as the Maiden Uprising. This led to the ‘Revolution of Dignity’ in February 2014, with deadly clashes between protestors and the State, and the removal of the president.

‘The War of Chimeras’ has been freely distributed throughout Ukraine.

“Even in small villages, as we wanted our people to see what was happening,” says Anastasiia.

The film was also released across Europe, UK, USA and Australia, and has won and been nominated for international film awards.

The New Zealand Government has announced further support of $25.9 million for Ukraine, continuing sanctions and extending our military assistance.

“The soldiers are so very pleased to receive support from countries such as New Zealand, from over 17,000 kms away,” says Mariia.