Eurodonbas is one of the best films playing at Hot Docs and one of the most important films you will see all year. The film is the story of the Donbas region of Ukraine which has been invaded and occupied by the Russian army. It’s the story of a region that was developed by foreigners for old Imperial Russia and then claimed by the Soviets as an example of their greatness.
I was floored by EURODONBAS. I say that as someone who did a side study of Russian History in college. Some how the fact that the whole region was essentially developed by the Belgians, The English, The Americans and others was left out of the histories that I read. As such the stories of the ever changing tales of the history of the region were left out. I never heard of how the Soviets would show the factories and building say they were made by Soviets while all the writing was in the language of whatever country that has built it.
What makes the film so important is that in revealing the history of the region it links up the past to the present. We see why the region is so important to Russian and why everyone living in it views their history as they do. The film puts the current events into a historical context so we understand things better.
But don’t let that scare you off because this film is a great deal of fun. There are a lot of good stories that are just really damn interesting to hear, regardless of how they connect to current world events.
Put this film on your must see list.
Highly recommended.
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