Taylor Jewell | Invision
LOOK Dine-in Cinemas in Colleyville welcomed an Academy Award nominee for a special screening of the Oscar-nominated film “20 Days In Mariupol” last week.
Directed by Associated Press photojournalist and war correspondent Mystyslav Chernov, “20 Days In Mariupol” provides an on-the-ground account of the first 20 days of Russia’s siege on Ukraine in 2022. With the film nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 96th Academy Awards, Mystyslav stopped in Colleyville to host a screening and Q&A about his experiences filming the conflict.
Mstyslav Chernov
“Not everyone probably realizes the gravity of what has already started,” Mystyslav says in a one-on-one interview with Southlake Style magazine. “For many people, it seems like this concerns only Ukraine — that this is a local conflict that has no influence on the U.S. or other parts of the world. But the victory of Russia on the battlefield will have huge implications around the world.”
Not only has “20 Days In Mariupol” been nominated for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards, but it also won Best Documentary at the British Academy Film Awards and the Directors Guild of America Awards. Mystyslav says he hopes the film’s recognition will bring more attention and awareness to the ongoing conflict that persists to this day.
“For the people who see the film, I hope they look at Ukraine not as a political topic, but as a humanitarian catastrophe,” Mystyslav says. “The more recognition this film gets, the more audiences will see that. That’s actually my main hope — for more people to see it.”
You can stream “20 Days In Mariupol” now on PBS Frontline. The Academy Awards will take place at 6 p.m. CST on Sunday, March 10 on ABC.