Ukraine and Orange Revolution has “Reel Appeal”

By Damian Kolodiy

 “The Orange Chronicles” documentary film completes a summer tour, most recently playing at the Toronto Ukrainian Festival. The film incites empathetic and emotional reaction from audiences. Ukrainians express how their understanding of Ukraine and the Orange Revolution is completely reshaped. For many it is an example to learn from, and their interest and respect for Ukraine is evident with conversations commencing after each film screening. People are responding so positively to our film, most notably American viewers. It proves that the film has the appeal to cross over beyond a Ukrainian audience.

Outside of my own speculative perceptions, what I really wanted to know is what are the Ukrainian people thinking now? How are former Orange Revolutionaries feeling about today’s situation, the dissolution of the [Verkhovna] Rada, and upcoming elections?

I pitched this story to Current TV (www.Current.TV), a new (internet) cable network founded by Al Gore that focuses on short video “pods” on various topics and themes.  Current’s journalism department was interested in the story, and soon enough I was off to Ukraine to do a “Current Politics” story “Capitalism in Kyiv”, a profile on Oleh Skrypka, and a travel montage of Lviv.

It just so happened that I arrived in Lviv at the same time as the celebration of Shukhevych’s 100^th Birthday. Shukhevych is one of the best-known commanders of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. It was amazing to see the old UPA veterans come out in their uniforms and stand for hours to commemorate the events. These were people who had not only fought through those terrible days of UPA, but had lived throughout the entire Soviet regime. Their weathered faces still had eyes that glowed with life. Speeches were made, but there was the sense that many were using the occasion to highlight their own agendas, whatever they may be. Irina Parivo from the “Svoboda” party spoke impassionedly about the legacy of UPA and the importance of a truly Ukrainian Ukraine.

The capitalism piece was a challenge because I really needed to get various perspectives. Other than retirees and pensioners, whose lives were significantly better during Soviet times, most Ukrainians would agree that capitalism had brought significant opportunities to them and improved their standard of living. But while some had benefited financially, many were still dissatisfied with their quality of life. They could not afford to buy a home and raise a family and in general, prices for goods had risen while salaries had not in proportion. I even happened upon a heated debate between two young men, one who was for capitalism and the other against. I interviewed the anti-capitalist and he expressed how he felt that society had shifted its focus from people to money. I could not help but think that capitalist greed had played an integral part of the downfall of the Orange team, which had placed its personal interests above those of the country. But perhaps that’s not the fault of a systematic ideology, but just being fallibly human!

 The most overwhelmingly positive experience on this trip was the Krayina Mriy festival founded and hosted by Oleh Skrypka. Skrypka explained that “Many of us are not satisfied with the state of current Ukrainian culture, and I don’t think it’s just culture, but humanity, so we tried to create, for at least 3 days, a more positive reality for the soul. As a music aficionado, I really can’t find the music I enjoy readily available. So I tried to at least provide an outlet for this.”  The festival featured many traditional craftsmen and music, and most festivalgoers wore traditional vyshyvani sorochky. It was the first time since the Orange Revolution that I heard Ukrainian being spoken in Kyiv by the majority of the people.  It was remarkable to see people not only celebrating their culture, but also re-connecting with it in a very genuine fashion. It seemed to me that “true” Ukrainians living in Kyiv came out of the woodwork for events such as this, or previously, the Orange Revolution.  Scrypka continued. “There are some parallels between Ukrainian rock music and Ukrainian culture. Both are in the underground. More recently, social, cultural, political and patriotic forces united to produce this phenomenon know as the Orange Revolution,” After the festival, I concluded that Skrypka is the best thing Ukraine has going for it, both as an entertainment showman and a cultural icon. 

At the end of this trip, I realized that the Ukrainian people were more cynical and analytical. They have realized that they cannot depend on “the state” or politicians to solve their problems, but must do so themselves.  They have learned to channel their energy and attention towards things in their sphere of influence, family, friends, work and local government. The disillusionment with politicians is extremely high, and in a closely contested election, the persons of indifference could likely influence the results.  I hope that in September, the people do choose to exercise their right to vote. Essentially that’s democracy and what they fought for in November of 2004.  Due to political malaise, it is now seriously endangered.

Damian Kolodiy & Peter Zielyk continue to screen their film to new audiences and tell the story of the Orange Revolution and Ukraine. Future screening dates include the UN/ YPIG conference at the Ukrainian Institute of America, and the Vancouver International Film Festival: Sept. 28 at 8:45 pm and Oct. 1 at 12:30 pm, Empire Granville 7 Theatre. The film also received a distribution grant from the NY State Council of the Arts and is actively looking for additional funds to do a proper theatrical release. Please e-mail OrangeDoc@gmail.com for more details. All contributions are tax deductible.

 To view the recent interviews mentioned in the article, please visit www.OrangeChronicles.com. and click on the video button. The stories mentioned will be aired on Current TV sometime in September/October of 2007.