FT Weekend: Understanding Ukraine’s identity. Plus, the Oscars

Mar 12, 2022

Ukrainian journalist Olga Tokariuk dives deep into Ukraine's evolving identity, shaped by the struggle against Russian aggression. She reflects on thirty years of independence and the profound changes since the Maidan revolution. Meanwhile, film critic Danny Leigh analyzes this year's Oscars nominees, discussing relevance and representation amid declining viewership. The conversation touches on the shifting cinematic landscape and questions whether the awards still hold cultural significance in a changing world.

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ANECDOTE

Life in Wartime Ukraine

Olga Tokariuk is in Western Ukraine, sheltering 13 displaced people and pets.
Despite the war, they try to maintain some normalcy, celebrating birthdays with cake.

ANECDOTE

Remembering a Colleague

Olga Tokariuk's former colleague, a cameraman, was killed near Kyiv's TV tower.
They worked together early in her career, and she remembers him as a modest man.

INSIGHT

Maidan Revolution's Impact

The 2014 Maidan Revolution was a turning point in Ukraine's identity, solidifying it against Russia.
Russia's annexation of Crimea and instigation of conflict in Eastern Ukraine followed the revolution.

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This weekend, we speak with Ukrainian journalist Olga Tokariuk, who is currently in western Ukraine. Olga reflects on how Ukrainians forged the resolve they are showing now in the fight against Russia. She shares how Ukraine’s identity has shifted and strengthened over the past 30 years since its independence, especially in the seven years since the Maidan revolution. Then, FT film critic Danny Leigh joins us to discuss this year's Oscars nominees, from ‘Power of the Dog’ to ‘Don't Look Up’. With a drop in viewership over the years, it seems the Academy is scrambling to make us care. But should we?

Special offers for Weekend listeners, from 50% off a digital subscription to a $1/£1/€1 trial are here: http://ft.com/weekendpodcast

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Want to say hi? We love hearing from you. Email us at ftweekendpodcast@ft.com. We’re on Twitter @ftweekendpod, and Lilah is on Instagram and Twitter @lilahrap.

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The first US FT Weekend Festival is on Saturday, May 7 in Washington, DC. To attend virtually or in person, buy tickets at http://ft.weekendfestival.com – use the discount code FTFriends2022 for 10% off.

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Links and mentions from the episode:

–Key coverage of the war in Ukraine is free to read: https://www.ft.com/content/77ab8dcf-cb02-4e57-aff0-85c8a84f5a1f

–Olga is on Twitter @olgatokariuk. You can also keep up with FT coverage by following @financialtimes on Instagram and Twitter.

–Mary Elise Sarotte on Ukraine’s history since 1991: https://www.ft.com/content/742f15fc-675a-4622-b022-cbec444651cf

–Danny’s roundup of this year’s Oscars nominees: https://www.ft.com/content/d9000eb2-11ec-40af-aa8f-2e5f654bde4e

–Danny’s review of Power of the Dog: https://www.ft.com/content/8f2af17e-cad5-4fc6-9ea7-68e5402dda5d

–Lilah made a Hark list of some of our favorite moments from the show so far, which you can listen to here https://short.harkaudio.com/3pwwAMH

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Original music by Metaphor Music. Mixing and sound design by Breen Turner and Hannis Brown.

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