From: Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 747):
His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Psalm 147:10-11
This might not come as news to you. Ukrainian documentary film “20 Days in Mariupol” won an Oscar, and this is the first Academy Award for Ukraine.
In his acceptance speech, the film director, Mstyslav Chernov, said, “Probably I will be the first director on this stage who will say I wish I had never made this film. I wish to be able to exchange this for Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities. Russians are killing tens of thousands of my fellow Ukrainians. I wish for them to release all the hostages, all the soldiers who are protecting their lands, all the civilians who are now in their jails. But I cannot change the history. I cannot change the past. We altogether: you. I’m calling on you, some of the most talented people in the world. We can make sure that the history record is set straight and that the truth will prevail and that the people of Mariupol and those who have given their lives will never be forgotten, because cinema forms memories, and memories form history.”
I haven’t watched this film, and if I’m completely honest, I don’t know if I ever will. There’s too much pain for me in it, and we are surrounded by pain every day. However, this documentary is a powerful memory tool that will keep telling the truth to the world. The team of journalist photographers, Mstyslav Chernov and Yevheniy Maloletka, risked their lives filming life in the besieged Mariupol. They didn’t know if they’d make it out of the city alive, yet they were ready to risk it all for the sake of the world knowing the truth. This dedication inspires, so the team deserves all the recognition.
I know what he means. I appreciate your support and value this ability to share my heart with you, many of whom I have never met in person. I am grateful to the team of Envision Berlin and to all those who will read my book, but I wish my book never needed to be written. I wish all the artists could use their talents for something they are passionate about. However, we all are given a responsibility to set the history record straight and make sure that the truth prevails.
Unfortunately, the enemy wouldn’t give up that easily. The Ukrainian documentary was cut from the international TV version of the Oscars. The organizers, The Walt Disney Company Ltd, had removed the Best Feature Documentary category altogether, including Chernov’s speech. One may claim that documentary is not one of the categories a broad audience would be interested in, but last year, the same nomination, in which the documentary about Navalny won, was given time in the shortened version, as was the political speech of Yulia Navalnaya, who accepted the award.
We know that truth will always prevail, so I pray that this film and even this attempt to silence it will help the world to know and care.
Voice of Ukraine 
One response to “3/12/20224 – I pray that this film and even this attempt to silence it will help the world to know and care.”
1 year ago–
From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 384):
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob!
Psalm 84:8
The situation in the Bakhmut area remains critical. Every day there are more and more reports about the wonderful people we lose to this horrible war. How do you keep your sanity? How do you keep hoping when this brutality has been going on for almost 13 months? My only solution is to keep my eyes fixed on the Lord and trust His goodness.
Today I came across a few stories of incredible resilience and life despite the horrors of war. I will share them here to see that God is good even in the darkest of times.
Little Oleksandra is 6 years old. She lost her leg when a Russian missile hit a residential building in Odesa in May 2022. This amazing young girl is going through rehabilitation, got a prosthetic leg, and even continues gymnastics training as it’s been her hobby since she was 3.
Valerii from Vinnytsia got a wound to his heart and severe shrapnel wounds to his head. He miraculously survived two surgeries and regained consciousness. The first people he saw were his wife and his 6-week-old baby.
A volunteer from New Zealand who joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine was checking the newly gained enemy positions when they heard someone call from the basement, saying, “I am Ukrainian.” They thought it was a trap but then discovered it was his friend whom he had presumed dead for two months (see more details below).
I wish we didn’t need these heart-wrenching stories, but I pray none of them are wasted or forgotten.
The story shared by the soldier from New Zealand:
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