Attending the Docudays UA International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival a couple of years back proved to be one of my most memorable festival experiences. Admittedly, part of that had to do with being acutely aware of my foreignness (I encountered not one other American during my stay – well, unless you count the mercenary in the hotel lobby who struck up a conversation after hearing my accent) in a country I’d never been to (one that still felt fresh off a revolution and was deeply embroiled in a border war). This was long before our current US president tried to shake down their president, of course – even before they elected a comedian to the highest office in the land – so Ukraine wasn’t really in the media feeds of many of us here in the States.
But the other thing that made the Kyiv-based festival so unforgettable is that it’s just hands down an impressively run event (complete with enthusiastic young volunteers who often doubled as engaging personal tour guides, eager for the opportunity to practice some English). So I guess it should come as no surprise that in the midst of a global pandemic the topnotch Docudays UA team decided to forge ahead with their 17th edition, which runs from April 24-May 3, albeit online. And luckily for those of us self-isolating from afar, doing so with an industry program made available to a worldwide audience for free (and in English!) via their YouTube channel.
And to read all about my eclectic home-viewing suggestions visit
Modern Times Review.
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