Film recommendation from the Kyiv Independent: “The Earth is Blue as an Orange” by Iryna Tsilyk (Patreon)

Hello, everyone. My name is Iryna Matviyishyn, and I am a video reporter at the Kyiv Independent. I'm here to recommend a wonderful Ukrainian documentary that will hopefully touch your heart and shed some light on the lives of Ukrainians in Donbas after Russia's invasion in 2014 – "The Earth is Blue as an Orange."

I first saw this movie when it was released in 2020, in a past life, as Ukrainians say. It was a window into the lives of a family on the front line, a perspective that I, as a person from western Ukraine, was fortunate not to have experienced. At that time, the war was something I had only encountered through the stories of people from Donbas, internally displaced persons who had fled the occupied Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and occasional assignments to Donbas. Nevertheless, I loved "The Earth is Blue as an Orange," directed by Iryna Tsilyk, because it offered a unique glimpse into the intimate story of life in a war-torn region.

The story revolves around the family of a single mother, Hanna, and her four children as they try to lead normal lives in the "red zone" of Donetsk Oblast where there is active combat. What makes it even more intriguing is that they are documenting their experiences through their own lenses and their passion for filmmaking. Throughout the documentary, we witness their changing perception of reality as they start capturing it with a camera, adding another layer to the narrative.

I was also captivated by the warmth and charm of this creative family. You feel as though you've been invited to observe their lives and become friends. The director deserves credit for building a special relationship with her characters that allowed them to open up so much.

War serves as a constant backdrop here, starkly contrasting with the lives of the children who are pursuing their aspirations against all odds. Hanna and her family learn to navigate the challenges, such as how to react to different sounds of shelling. However, war remains abnormal and absurd, and Hanna's family seems to grasp this as they interview each other for their film. These interviews will likely bring tears to your eyes, but they are worth it.

"The Earth is Blue as an Orange" captures the contrasts and surrealism of life during wartime, a reality experienced by millions of people around Ukraine today. Although Russia's war has engulfed the entire country, Tsilyk’s documentary is still an immersive opportunity for foreigners to better understand both the challenges and resilience of Ukrainians. In the end, this story is an affirmation of life and love in tough circumstances, something everyone can draw inspiration from in difficult times.

"The Earth is Blue as an Orange" is available on Takflix.