The film presents a disturbing account of a camera team embedded within an improvised hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine, as Russian forces moved closer. The documentary depicts how a once-normal city progressively transforms into ruins under relentless bombardment from both ground troops and aircraft, instilling fear among residents and cutting off their access to essential resources like safe housing, water, and power. …

I’m not entirely comfortable suggesting this disturbing documentary as essential viewing, given its intensity. Still, it's a film that needs to be experienced for its story’s truth to truly come into focus. Journalist-writer-director Mstyslav Chernov and his team didn't anticipate the situation they would encounter when documenting the initial phase of Ukraine’s conflict with Russia. Operating from Mariupol, a port c…

“20 Days in Mariupol” ranks among the most distressing films I've ever experienced; it’s also vitally important. This remarkable documentary provides a chilling eyewitness account of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and documents actual war crimes. Mariupol’s strategic location made it a key area during the conflict. Before Russia launched its invasion, Ukranian filmmaker and journalist Mstyslav Chernov and his collea…