Review of Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom (2015) by Eric H — 25 Jan 2016

This film ultimately works because it successfully captures just how powerful these movements can be. Like with 2013's "The Square," which centered on the ongoing crisis happening in Egypt, to watch 'Winter on Fire' is to watch a revolution in progress.

This is a documentary that reminds you of the resiliency of the human spirit. The resourcefulness that can take place when you have nowhere else to run. This is best exemplified by a particularly bleak moment when the Berkut had snipers on rooftops with riot police in prime position to take out civilians one by one.

Instead of laying down, the protesters actually managed to find a way to fight back by setting tires on fire, forcing the police above to breathe in the smoke. It's moments like that - even in the middle of such horrific events - where you're reminded just how strong a united front can be.

Those moments are what makes 'Winter on Fire' such essential viewing.