"The Orange Chronicles": Ukrainian Revolutions, part 1

I'm extremely happy to tell that after long search I finally found the last movie for my B.A. paper. It's going to be "The Orange Chronicles".

“The Orange Chronicles” is a documentary made by Damian Kolodiy, an American filmmaker with Ukrainian roots. He came to Ukraine as an ellection observer and got in the centre of civil movement. His documentary presents the beginning of the revolution which was caused by corruption and fraid at the presidential election, development of the protest and its result, a new elections. The movie shows Ukrainians who participated in the Orange Revolution and their non-violent fight for justice. Moreover, the documentary follows Damian's Eastern Ukraine tour and shows a perspective of those people who opposed the revolution.

That’s how the author himself comments on his documentary and his own experience of the Orange Revolution:

“I went to Ukraine knowing that the stakes were high, with a feeling that something there was building, but never expected the joyous explosive expression for freedom that resulted. I was amazed at the unification of people at that time, the level of community that existed throughout, strangers looking out for strangers, and that such huge mass mobilizations remained non-violent. For me, it reaffirmed some really positive things about humanity that seemed to have been forgotten.

Traveling to russified eastern Ukraine was an eye opener; seeing the divisions in interpretation of truth, the role that media plays in influencing perception, and how easy it is for Russia to exploit divisions in Ukraine. Russia continues to play the imperialistic aggressive neighbor, and do whatever it can to thwart Ukraine's westward integration. I hope that the film serves as a reminder to all of the power of people in pursuit of freedom.”

These passages very clearly express the main idea of this movie.The documentary present Ukrainians as enthusiastic and freedom-loving people who are willing to struggle for a better future for their country.

I’d like to add that I’m very happy that my paper will discuss such an amazing event in Ukrainian history as the Orange Revolution. It was the time of unity and dignity for our nation. And this event has a great meaning for me personally. I was only nine when the revolution took place, but I remember so well all the feelings I had about it. For the first time I realized that I am Ukrainian, I am the part of this great nation and I was so proud of it. And I still am.

Even though, President Yuschenko didn’t justify the confidence Ukrainian people put in him and showed himself as a weak man, this revolution proved that we, Ukrainians, are very strong nation.