Mstyslav Chernov: It is more important than ever to talk about Ukraine at Baftas

Mstyslav Chernov in the press room after winning the Documentary award for 20 Days in Mariupol (Ian West/PA)

20 Days In Mariupol filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov said it is “more important than ever” for him to be talking about Ukraine at the Baftas.

Chernov, whose war film was named best documentary at the awards in London, said: “Still I keep thinking about Ukraine, I keep thinking about what is happening there right now.

“And the only comfort to me, that I’m not filming out there… is that we give voice to Ukrainians.

The team behind 20 Days In Mariupol collect the Documentary BAFTA #EEBAFTAs pic.twitter.com/sRDz3UWNHu

— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 18, 2024

“We keep reminding the world about what is happening right now.

“And another city just got occupied by Russia, it is more important than ever to be here and to keep talking about this.”

He added: “We have to make sure that we keep reminding everyone.”

“This is for the people of Mariupol they have saved our lives,” he said.

#20DaysInMariupol is now streaming in the U.S. on @PBS, @YouTube and @PBS_Docs. https://t.co/e5yJdi61SV pic.twitter.com/3J46GXU0L8

— 20DaysInMariupol (@20DaysMariupol) November 29, 2023

“They have helped us every step of the way. This film is about them and this is for them.”

The work was also nominated for a Bafta in the film not in the English language category, but lost out to Zone Of Interest.

Chernov added he was “grateful” they were nominated in a category that would make the film visible to people who might not usually watch documentaries.

The film tells the story of the 20 days Chernov spent with his colleagues from the Associated Press news agency in Mariupol after Russia began its war on Ukraine.