Watch this film and it's clear Putin has fucked with the wrong country. Ukrainians literally just came from a fight to the death for their independence from Russian influence - which they won. They aren't going to be cowed this time either. Identity is galvanized by struggle. Despite the cultural and historical overlap with Russia, Ukrainians are profoundly patriotic and will defend their country to the bitter end.
Two things stuck with me in this film.
The baddies in this doc are the brutal Ukrainian riot police, the "bertuk". They ruthlessly beat and kills demonstrators in harrowing, visceral scenes. But presumably many of the “bertuk” are Ukrainians themselves. What the hell must have been going through their minds during this period? I'd love to have known. Similarly in the last few days, we've seen interviews with captured Russian infantry. They are appalled at the lies they've been told by the Russian government ordering them to butcher their Slavic brethren. Of course, it's smart for a POW to show remorse but these interviews feel genuine especially knowing what we do about Putin's "military exercises" ruse.
Roma Saveliyev is a 12-year-old revolutionary who is one of the most remarkable and compelling characters I've ever seen in a documentary. Think the Artful Dodger if instead of picking pockets for Fagan, he was filling Molotov cocktails for freedom fighters. Expelled from school but a legend of Maiden Square, Saveliyev has Dickensian the cheek and guile layered on a child coming of age in a pressure cooker of graphic violence and political upheaval. His self-awareness and cheerful bravado are arresting. If you’re inhaling content about the war in Ukraine stop watching CNN for 90 mins and watch Winter On Fire. Netflix are showing it for FREE here.