CIFF

Freedom on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom

CIFF Streams

April 2, 2023 - April 9, 2023

directed by
Evgeny Afineevsky
year
2022
country
Ukraine, USA, United Kingdom
language
Ukrainian, Russian
runtime
114
closed captions
No
audio description
No
english subtitles
Yes
film contact email
[email protected]

Russia may have escalated the Russo-Ukraine War when they invaded their neighboring country in February 2022, but Ukraine has not known peace since their declaration of independence in 1991, as evidenced in this unflinching, straight-from-the-frontlines doc about the war’s civilian toll. —M.G.


FREEDOM ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, a continuation of the Oscar®-nominated “Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom,” follows the war in Ukraine from a ground-level view. Focusing largely on the experiences of average citizens, including mothers, volunteers, and journalists, the documentary portrays life as it was lived by Ukranians during the 2022 invasion and the fraught years leading up to it. The film is expansive in its depiction of hardship, illustrating the vast destruction and efforts for recovery while contemplating the Russian totalitarianism that caused it. Narrated by Helen Mirren, the film offers equal hope for those who fled Ukraine for safety and for those who stayed to fight. —C.F.


Content Warning: This film contains material that may be difficult for some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.


GUEST(S) ARE SCHEDULED TO BE IN ATTENDANCE FOR Q&A

Ukrainian Cinema
CIFF47 Streams
Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Competition

Film Sponsors

Odesa International Film Festival
Bill Plesec & Susan Stechschulte

Community Partners

Cleveland Council on World Affairs
Ukrainian Museum-Archives