ORANGE REVOLUTION
Price: $210.00 Code: 2278 |
Directed by Steve York
2007, 92 minutes
Purchase: $210 | Classroom Rental: $125
If the world remembers one image from Ukraine's Orange Revolution, it is the terribly scarred face of opposition presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko, a result of near-fatal poisoning. But the story of this historic election is far more intricate, intriguing, and resonant.
Assembled from over 300 hours of original footage and archival material (some never before seen, even in Ukraine), and featuring penetrating interviews with key players, including Victor Yushchenko, this documentary from veteran filmmaker Steve York (A Force More Powerful) chronicles the events of the Orange Revolution, the most successful non-violent political protest of the decade.
In the summer of 2004, Victor Yanukovich was practically assured the presidency. Handpicked by the outgoing president, Yanukovich was the sitting Prime Minister, and more importantly, enjoyed the implicit support of Moscow. His chief rival, Victor Yushchenko, seemed to pose little threat. But within a few short months, everything had changed. Yushchenko's mysterious poisoning made headlines around the world. At home, it galvanized an increasingly weary public distrustful of the current administration. Yanukovich's campaign, hampered by scandal and ill-advised political stunts (including a faked assassination attempt), only fueled their discontent. When Yanukovich was announced the winner on election night - amidst widespread allegations of election fraud - the people had had enough.
In freezing temperatures, over one million citizens poured into the streets of Kyiv and took up residence there. They marched in protest and formed human barricades around government buildings, paralyzing all state functions. Restaurants donated food, businessmen sent tents, and individuals brought blankets, clothing, and money. Rock bands kept their spirits up with open-air concerts, day and night. For seventeen days, these throngs of ordinary citizens kept up their resistance, demanding their votes be respected, standing firm even when an internal army was mobilized to remove them.
In vivid and captivating detail, Orange Revolution relates these extraordinary events. Today, as Ukraine teeters on the brink of yet another political crisis, this documentary nonetheless captures a unique moment in history, when a people suddenly found themselves united, not by one leader or one party, but by one idea: a better future for their country.
* Official Selection, Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival, 2007
* Official Selection, San Francisco International Film Festival, 2007
* Official Selection, Seattle International Film Festival, 2007
* Official Selection, Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, 2007
* Official Selection, AFI Festival, Los Angeles, CA, 2007
* Official Selection, DOCNZ New Zealand International Documentary Film Festival,2007
* Official Selection, United Nations Association Film Festival, 2007
* Official Selection, Calgary International Film Festival, 2007
* Official Selection, Milwaukee International Film Festival, 2007
“Director Steve York captures the excitement and volatility of the events on the ground, and his access to the uprising’s key players makes for a timely and fascinating look at grassroots democracy in action. Recommended.” – Chicago Reader
"The most convincing film to date about the legendary events of the Ukrainian civic resistance... these powerful and piercing images, so full of emotion and substance, are edited in a natural, virtuoso style." - Kino-Kolo, Ukraine's premier film magazine
"This very engaging, well-researched documentary may be of interest to students of modern Eastern European history and Political Science. Highly recommended for college and general audiences." - Educational Media Reviews Online
2007, 92 minutes
Purchase: $210 | Classroom Rental: $125
If the world remembers one image from Ukraine's Orange Revolution, it is the terribly scarred face of opposition presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko, a result of near-fatal poisoning. But the story of this historic election is far more intricate, intriguing, and resonant.
Assembled from over 300 hours of original footage and archival material (some never before seen, even in Ukraine), and featuring penetrating interviews with key players, including Victor Yushchenko, this documentary from veteran filmmaker Steve York (A Force More Powerful) chronicles the events of the Orange Revolution, the most successful non-violent political protest of the decade.
In the summer of 2004, Victor Yanukovich was practically assured the presidency. Handpicked by the outgoing president, Yanukovich was the sitting Prime Minister, and more importantly, enjoyed the implicit support of Moscow. His chief rival, Victor Yushchenko, seemed to pose little threat. But within a few short months, everything had changed. Yushchenko's mysterious poisoning made headlines around the world. At home, it galvanized an increasingly weary public distrustful of the current administration. Yanukovich's campaign, hampered by scandal and ill-advised political stunts (including a faked assassination attempt), only fueled their discontent. When Yanukovich was announced the winner on election night - amidst widespread allegations of election fraud - the people had had enough.
In freezing temperatures, over one million citizens poured into the streets of Kyiv and took up residence there. They marched in protest and formed human barricades around government buildings, paralyzing all state functions. Restaurants donated food, businessmen sent tents, and individuals brought blankets, clothing, and money. Rock bands kept their spirits up with open-air concerts, day and night. For seventeen days, these throngs of ordinary citizens kept up their resistance, demanding their votes be respected, standing firm even when an internal army was mobilized to remove them.
In vivid and captivating detail, Orange Revolution relates these extraordinary events. Today, as Ukraine teeters on the brink of yet another political crisis, this documentary nonetheless captures a unique moment in history, when a people suddenly found themselves united, not by one leader or one party, but by one idea: a better future for their country.
Subjects & Collections
Festivals & Awards
* Winner, President’s Award, Chicago International Documentary Festival, 2007* Official Selection, Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival, 2007
* Official Selection, San Francisco International Film Festival, 2007
* Official Selection, Seattle International Film Festival, 2007
* Official Selection, Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, 2007
* Official Selection, AFI Festival, Los Angeles, CA, 2007
* Official Selection, DOCNZ New Zealand International Documentary Film Festival,2007
* Official Selection, United Nations Association Film Festival, 2007
* Official Selection, Calgary International Film Festival, 2007
* Official Selection, Milwaukee International Film Festival, 2007
Reviews
“A fascinating look at how true leveling power comes with unifying under an umbrella of a belief.” – Seattle Post-Intelligencer“Director Steve York captures the excitement and volatility of the events on the ground, and his access to the uprising’s key players makes for a timely and fascinating look at grassroots democracy in action. Recommended.” – Chicago Reader
"The most convincing film to date about the legendary events of the Ukrainian civic resistance... these powerful and piercing images, so full of emotion and substance, are edited in a natural, virtuoso style." - Kino-Kolo, Ukraine's premier film magazine
"This very engaging, well-researched documentary may be of interest to students of modern Eastern European history and Political Science. Highly recommended for college and general audiences." - Educational Media Reviews Online