Introduction:
My film, Nukemailing, is a documentary exploring the fears of nuclear blackmail on the state level through personal lenses. The film follows three employees of Ukrainian nuclear power plants and tells of the consequences of the Russian occupation. Of fear, illegal interrogations and torture.
Inspiration:
Working on the film evoked my personal memories, as I’ve learned the word «evacuatsia» years ago, it became a trend for Ukrainians, early on, as a child, after the Chornobyl reactor accident.
The Process:
The Russian invasion of Ukraine brought back, among other issues also the fear of a nuclear catastrophe. In the very first days of the full-scale war, Russian troops occupied the exclusion zone around the nuclear ruins of Chornobyl, followed shortly afterwards by the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. We filmed in liberated Chornobyl, talked to witnesses, and got footage from occupied Enerhodar. But the most challenging issue for the whole international German-Ukrainian filming team was the everyday routine of reading and watching the news. Of course, we were expecting good news on the liberation of occupied territories, and this still didn’t happen. The day we were really frightened was the day when Russian troops exploded the Kakhovska Dam – we were in close contact with the international experts and understood potential risks pretty well.
What It Means to Be a Finalist:
Being selected as a finalist at Worcester Film Festival means a lot for the whole team. When you spread an important word of truth to the world, the more eyes and ears your film has, the more successful your mission. The story we are telling through personal reflections is global, ongoing, but still frightening. Since we completed the film, the risks have never gone away. Neither did the occupants.
Where to Watch / Follow:
You can watch Nukemailing on the Arte network in Europe, and follow our journey on Instagram @unitedheroesgroup for updates on Nukemailing and future projects.
About The Author
