Mstyslav Chernov, Pulitzer Prize-winning videographer, talks about his film documenting the early days of Mariupol's siege during the war between Russia and Ukraine. He discusses his experiences as a war journalist, the challenges of filming in difficult environments, and the emotional toll of war reporting.
Mstyslav Chernov's documentary '20 Days in Mariupol' shines a light on the power of war journalism and the lasting impact of powerful images.
Chernov's experiences in Mariupol emphasize the importance of journalists in providing accurate information and the detrimental effects of misinformation and fake news on society.
Deep dives
Chronicling the War in Ukraine
Photographer Mr. Slav Chernov started covering the war in Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014. He transitioned from still photography to video, capturing footage for the evening news. His film, '20 Days in Mario Paul,' documents the early days of the siege in the city. Chernov reflects on the power of war journalism and the impact of his images, hoping they will bring attention to the conflict and have a lasting effect on the world.
The Challenges of Filming in a War Zone
Staying in Mario Paul even when other journalists left, Mr. Slav Chernov and his team faced numerous challenges. They managed memory cards and backup drives while dealing with limited electricity and communication. Capturing as much footage as possible, Chernov understood the historical importance of his documentation, especially as there were no other journalists in the city to provide coverage. Their experiences exposed the vulnerability and collapse of society in the absence of journalists and accurate information.
Misinformation and Manipulation of News
Through '20 Days in Mario Paul,' Mr. Slav Chernov explores the themes of misinformation and misinterpretation. He discusses how news and fake news can shape the narrative and impact people's reactions to events. The film highlights the power of communication and the essential role that journalism plays in society. It also acknowledges the rise of fake news as a significant aspect of our current media landscape, revealing its impact on how we perceive reality and historical events.
Associated Press videographer Mstyslav Chernov won the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of Russia's war against Ukraine. When the war escalated in February 2022, Mstyslav covered the front lines for his documentary "20 Days in Mariupol". The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and will begin streaming on PBS Frontline on November 21st. It's been selected for the DOC NYC Short List that's known as a predictor of Oscar contenders.
Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviewed Mstyslav in front of a live audience at the School of Visual Arts in the MFA program for Social Documentary. Mstyslav talks about his journey as a war journalist and his exploration of different storytelling forms that include his writing a novel called "The Dreamtime" published in the U.S. by Cherry Orchard Books.