by Mstyslav Chernov
The Ukrainian filmmaker and journalist Mstyslav Chernov spends 20 days in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol during the Russian war of aggression. There he captures the resilience of the Ukrainian population at close quarters with his camera. His film engulfs us in the reality of war journalists who risk their lives to get the story. 20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL impresses with images that never reach the mainstream media news. Chernov draws the audience's attention to the disastrous effects of the war and tells the story of a people who understandably do not want to give up their country. 20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL is the Ukrainian entry for the Oscar for Best International Film.