Eurodonbas is an alarmingly topical look at a region that has always been at a crossroads in history. Now that Donbas as a region remains constantly under attack, this is a crucial story to tell. This story is a meditation on the power of Russian propaganda. This is also an expansive look at how history informs the present moment. 

Eurodonbas chronicles the history of the Donbas region and its role in European and world history. It shows a chronology of events so that viewers can better understand the people of the region and how they have related to the world around them. Local historians explore the historical roots of this community, including the fact that it’s been shaped by immigrants around the world.

This documentary adds important context as to how this region has always been viewed by superpowers of the world, particularly Russia. It was seen as a land that could be easily exploited. The documentary allows people currently living in the region to reflect on how they, too, have been exploited. The fact that the filmmakers are able to tie the Soviet era and prior directly to today shows how thoroughly this project was researched. 

Critically, the documentary maintains its focus on the present moment, and how much this region remains at a juncture. As this documentary was apparently filmed just before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there’s a sense of brutal anticipation in every clip. The people introduced here were clearly waiting for some kind of explosion. They know how their history has led them to this moment. It’s alarming to see just how tense everything in this region has been for so long. 

Eurodonbas does not claim to provide easy answers. Instead, it shows the reality of real people living in this region and how they have so often been at the mercy of superpowers while retaining control over their own identity. There’s clearly a generational divide when it comes to views on where the future of this region. This contrast is an effective way to chart how residents of this region have seen themselves and continue to see themselves. 

The film does not shy away from asking difficult and uncomfortable questions. There’s never a moment where easy answers are presented. No one throughout the story is judged for their views. Instead, the additional context just provides a deeper level of horror when considering how deeply propaganda has always run in this region. This poignant commentary on how ordinary people find themselves at the mercy of empires is heartbreaking to watch. 

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, Eurodonbas tells a story that is necessary for all to absorb to fully understand this war. This is a powerful reminder that no geopolitical issue exists in a vacuum. Underneath all of the rhetoric and propaganda around Donbas, there are real people whose real lives are being torn apart. These aren’t hypothetical abstract geopolitical issues. These people continue to show immense courage in the face of unimaginable violence. 

Eurodonbas aired at the 2023 HotDocs t Festival.