FREEDOM ON FIRE — Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom
The film depicts the horrible realities of this unprovoked war instigated by Vladimir Putin. It is an exploration of the courage of the Ukrainian people, fiercely determined to stand their ground until 'the last drop of blood'. Demonstrating an astounding ability to unite as a people and defend the sovereignty of their country, Ukrainians show compassion and resilience even when surrounded by death, destruction, and unfathomable war crimes. The film transports viewers through a war that started immediately after Maidan (Revolution of Dignity) in 2014 and continues through the 2022 Russian invasion. Through personal stories of civilians, children, soldiers, doctors, the country's elderly, journalists, religious leaders, and international volunteers, this is a humanizing diary of millions of people whose lives were turned upside down by eight years of conflict.
FREEDOM ON FIRE: Ukraine’s fight for freedom is a companion piece to Oscar and Emmy nominated movie
WINTER ON FIRE: Ukraine’s fight for freedom (Netflix / 2015).
Have you seen the film and would like to help?
Help Ukrainian civilians obtain food and medicine by donating to Nova Ukraine.
Contact your congressman and ask to support naming Russia state sponsor of terrorism.
— Steve Pond, The Wrap
—Jonathan Romney, Screen Daily / Screen International
“…A sweeping picture of brutality and resilience… / …tear-inducing film…”
—Kevin Maher, The Times
— Anthony Carter, San Francisco Post
— Steve Pond, The Wrap
COMING SOON!
WHERE TO WATCH
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
EVGENY AFINEEVSKY is an Oscar and Emmy-nominated director. He is currently released his new headline-breaking documentary FREEDOM ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, which premiered at 79th Venice Film Festival, as well at Toronto International Film Festival.
In 2020 Catholics in Media Associates awarded him with 2020 CIMA Social Justice Award for his passion for telling stories that matter, his love for humanity and work for justice. Same 2020 despite the pandemic, he premiered in person his headline making movie FRANCESCO at the Rome International Film Festival, where he been awarded with prestigious Kineo Award. FRANCESCO was his personal journey alongside Pope Francis.
His award-winning documentary, CRIES FROM SYRIA, was an Official Selection at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. He won Best Director and earned nomination for Best Documentary from the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards. He and his film earned IPA Satellite Awards nominations for Best Documentary and Best Song in a Documentary for PRAYERS FOR THIS WORLD, performed by Cher. The Awards Circuit Community Awards nominated his movie as Best Documentary Feature for 2017. He won International Documentary Association’s Courage Under Fire Award, earned a PGA Award nomination, won a Humanitas Prize and Cinema for Peace Award, as well as the Overseas Press Club’s Peter Jennings Award. He and his movie CRIES FROM SYRIA earned 4 Emmy nominations.
Evgeny built his filmmaking career on providing a first-hand account of conflict, even if it means putting his own life in danger. He earned an Oscar and Emmy nomination in 2016 for WINTER ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, which details the 2013 student uprising that transformed into a violent revolution. WINTER ON FIRE was an Official Selection of the Venice and Telluride International film festivals. He won the People’s Choice Award for the Best Documentary from the Toronto International Film Festival and received Television Academy Honors Award.
WINTER ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM is available on YouTube.