On October 27, the documentary Unconquered Kherson was showcased in Boryspil, Ukraine, depicting the resilience and bravery of journalists during wartime. As part of the 20th Travelling Docudays UA, this film, focusing on the work of journalists from the Vhoru Media Platform, is actively touring across Ukraine. Olena Shkrebtiienko, the co-organizer and moderator of the Travelling Docudays UA events in Boryspil, reflects on the screening and the discussion with the director.

While this year's theme of the Traveling Docudays UA is The Image of the Future, understanding the future requires preserving the memory of the past and the ongoing events. Ukrainian documentary filmmakers are making films about the new history of our country during the war–documenting the lives of ordinary Ukrainians resisting the enemy in their cities and contributing to victory.

Unconquered Kherson, directed by Ustyn Danchuk, screened on October 27 in Boryspil, exemplifies such a film. It narrates the year-and-a-half story of journalists from the Vhoru Media Platform who remained in Kherson during the most challenging moments, covering events during the occupation, the city's liberation, and the incident at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station.

Travelling Docudays UA in Boryspil

The film illustrates how, despite facing fear and danger, journalists persist in their work, driven by civic duty and a professional commitment to documenting reality. At the same time, it showcases the resilience and humor of Kherson residents.

Director Ustyn Danchuk and journalist Liza Zharkykh, currently residing in Odesa, attended the screening. They discussed how the film's structure constantly evolved due to unfolding events. During the conversation, viewers who were forced to relocate from their hometowns and regions following the full-scale invasion shared their reflections and stories.

The discussion about the film also touched upon the issue of recovery and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, emphasizing adherence to the Lugano principles. Reforms, anti-corruption efforts, and effective organization of law enforcement and judicial systems are deemed essential components of the reconstruction process. The support of Western partners depends on meeting these conditions.

Lugano principles underscored that Western funding for Ukraine's reconstruction hinges on the implementation of reforms. We all understand that overcoming corruption and establishing robust law enforcement and judicial systems are our critical challenges.

Travelling Docudays UA in Boryspil

Visitors also discovered intriguing details about the film's director: in the past, Ustyn Danchuk played an active role in organizing festivals, notably founding the project Art in Evacuation. In his spare time, the documentary filmmaker engages in the information war by crafting satirical video parodies of Russians.

Unconquered Kherson is a film that instills hope and faith, inspiring resilience and tenacity while promoting life and victory.

Text by: Olena Shkrebtiienko, co-organizer and moderator of the Travelling Docudays UA events in Boryspil.