Review of Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom (2015) by Smoothrunner — 15 Jan 2016

Almost two years have past since the events depicted in the "Winter of Fire". All this time I was reluctant to watch any documentaries dedicated to Maidan, since all these terrible and magnificent events were to fresh in my memory and I thought that any incorrect documentary will only outrage me. My own and my family's participation in the Revolution was humble but nevertheless it left deep emotional scars. I remember my night-watches, and the moment when I dissuaded my old parents from participation in the February 18th meeting near Parliament since I was convinced that it will be a massacre. Another of my family member, former military, is still proud of participation in clashes with the Berkut on Hrushevskoho street. So it was to personal for me to allow some film director to spoil those memories.

However incidentally I've read a positive review on "Winter on Fire" from another participant of those events who praised the documentary for it's accuracy in depicting the Revolution. So I decided to watch it. And I was stunned by its thoughtful and correct retrace of facts without silly surface comments or assessments. Maybe Berkut's and police cruelty was a little bit softened (they've intentionally tortured to death some protesters, like Yuriy Verbitsky, intentionally crippled numerous protesters by firing in their eyes with rubber-bullets, braking bones, even beheaded people, many people are still considered missing), and the spirit of mutual aid and respect on Maidan not enough emphasized, but still this documentary is unbelievably correct with facts and the spirit of Maidan. I was overwhelmed by revived memories and emotions watching it. It is true, that "EuroMaidan" ended on 29th of November. On the 30th of November near the St Michael's Monastery completely new Maidan has been born and the Revolution of Dignity started it slow pace which is still in progress due to seemingly hopeless wars Ukrainian nation is waging - against Russian army invasion and against corruption which is plaguing our outdated "territorial" elites fostered by Russia instead of national elite thoroughly murdered during the Soviet Russia's occupation of Ukraine (1921 - 1991).

This documentary's authors did truly grate job by restoring so scrupulously events of this terrifying yet magnificent Revolution. It's like I lived again through all those scary and dignified days. Sense of the presence of God are correct words to describe those feelings - it felt like frighteningly majestic Spirit was there on Maidan with all those people, who, despite the odds, continued to believe in the ultimate victory and who were ready to sacrifice themselves for the things many others consider abstract and non-essential - freedom, dignity and patriotism.

For those, who want wider political context - it's all there in the documentary. Standing behind Yanukovych's back is puppeteer Putin, trying to revert Ukrainian nation from its choice to be a European country rather than Russian colony. Government without its own voice, filled with Yanukovych's old "friends" and subordinates from his so-called "family" - his business clan. Parliament, to scared of Yanukovych, to make independent decisions. So-called "leaders of opposition", representatives of our "territorial elites", unable to take responsibility for anything - miserable men completely unfit for the grandiose historical moment they were participating. And mysterious reborn of an old nation - Ukrainian nation, with its thousand years of complex history, which almost lost itself under 300 years of occupation by Russia and suddenly revived and fighting for its future.

This documentary though it's thoroughly accurate, is enthralling and dramatic like best Hollywood movies, like Maidan was. It will immerse you into the dramatic and magnificent story of the Ukrainian Revolution, into the heights of the human spirit, bravery, unselfishness and heroism, and into the depths of human decline, fear, cruelty and cynicism. "Winter on Fire" is beautifully crafted, deeply involving, with great music and true story.