Journey into the Heart of Conflict: Oscar Winner Explores Ukraine’s Frontlines in ‘2000 Meters to Andriivka’

PARK CITY, Utah – The day Mstyslav Chernov won a BAFTA for his documentary “20 Days in Mariupol”, he learned that two soldiers he knew had been killed. They were featured in his latest film, “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” which dives into the harsh realities of modern warfare during the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive.

“The film evolved over time,” Chernov shared after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. “What started as a story about a military operation transformed into a tale of loss and remembrance, highlighting the high cost soldiers pay for every inch of land.”

Returning to Park City is significant for Chernov, marking a full circle since he first presented “20 Days in Mariupol” here two years ago. While he has achieved remarkable accolades, such as a Pulitzer Prize and an Oscar, the ongoing war in his homeland keeps him connected to the stories he tells.

In a recent discussion with the AP, Chernov reflected on “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” a collaboration between the AP and PBS Frontline. He spoke about the challenges of balancing his filmmaking with the realities of the frontlines in Ukraine.

AP: Two years ago, at Sundance, you expressed a desire to return to Ukraine. Did you plan to focus on the soldiers?

CHERNOV: After leaving Mariupol, I wondered if I should continue my work. The trauma and loss weighed heavily on me, but I felt compelled to keep telling these stories. Witnessing the reactions to “20 Days in Mariupol” fueled my need to return and share more.

During the summer of 2023, amid Ukraine’s crucial counteroffensive, I was promoting “20 Days in Mariupol.” One moment, I’d be at a screening in LA, surrounded by films like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” and then I’d fly back to Poland to get on the frontline.

I became deeply invested in the story of Andriivka and kept following the soldiers there. Tragically, as time passed, many of those I initially filmed lost their lives.

AP: With “20 Days in Mariupol,” you instinctively captured urgent moments. How was your approach different this time around?

CHERNOV: Making “20 Days in Mariupol” opened my eyes to the powerful impact of combining journalism and documentary filmmaking. I wanted to showcase modern warfare in a fresh, immersive way. I aimed for viewers to feel the soldiers’ experiences so intensely that they would momentarily forget they were watching a documentary.

The emotional weight of cinema often lingers longer than news reports. We need unique storytelling to keep significant issues alive in people’s minds, especially those that resonate deeply with me, like the plight of Andriivka.

AP: How did you manage to put audiences on the frontline, much like fictional war films do?

CHERNOV: As technology evolves, so too must documentary filmmaking. We strive to find innovative ways to tell urgent stories. With “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” I wanted the audience to feel as if they were right there in the action, lost in the experience. When they realize these events are real, it hits them hard.

AP: Your Oscar speech was memorable. Did the situation in Andriivka occupy your thoughts on that stage?

CHERNOV: Absolutely. I thought of the soldiers while standing there. So much was happening behind the scenes, and I felt the weight of representing my home and the people of Mariupol.

AP: What does your work mean to your friends and the people of Ukraine?

CHERNOV: After the premiere, many expressed gratitude for sharing these stories. There’s a noticeable lack of frontline coverage, and people appreciated us highlighting the personal side of the conflict. It’s crucial to remember that these events involve real people, not just statistics.