"Eurodonbas" film from the cycle "Ukraine in focus" by Harlem

Around 1600, Donbas was a sparsely populated steppe territory, a no-man's land, where people from different directions lived and formed a population group, which is now called Cossacks. Their state, which existed between 1649 and 1764, is considered the first Ukrainian entity. In the 17th century, it became a kind of free military state, which in Russia was called "Free Ukraine", the name Ukraine appears for the first time in history. Later, the region was politically and socially integrated into the tsarist empire, but with a great deal of sovereignty for the Cossacks, who lived mainly in the countryside.

After 1860, the tsarist empire began a wave of industrialization, in particular the development of coal mines: it is noteworthy that much help was requested by Western European investors and technical specialists from England, Belgium, France and Germany. Around 1910, 2/3 of all coal mining capital came from Western Europe. It also brought many Western Europeans to this region and had a great impact on the society, architecture and culture of Donbass. In addition to many European entrepreneurs and technicians, many Russian workers also arrived in large industrial cities: around 1900, the population of Donbas consisted of 50% of Ukrainian (mainly rural) residents and 30% of Russians who lived mainly in cities.

After the revolution of 1917 and the seizure of power by the Soviets, all European and American factories were confiscated and nationalized. The Soviets began the destruction of European cultural heritage. Since February 24, 2022, these destructions have actually been continued by Russian troops.

The documentary Eurodonbas shows the cultural heritage of these European influences in cities such as Mariupol, Lysychansk, Druzhkivka and the village of New York in eastern Ukraine. Historians and old-timers talk about the history of the region and how Western cultural objects are systematically destroyed. Much of the heritage shown in this documentary, which was filmed until February 2022, no longer exists due to heavy bombing.

Film director's statement

Watching this film, I realized that the once beautiful Donbas with its unique and fascinating places has almost disappeared. When we shot this film a year ago, I could not have imagined that soon Russian missiles would be ravaging these places, destroying priceless monuments and harming civilians.

The documentary film "Eurodonbas" demonstrates that Donbas is not connected to the "Russian world", but is an integral part of European history and has successfully integrated into the European economic space. We depict this story through documentary characters, cities and animated archival footage specially adjusted for the film.

In our film, we showcase the unique European architectural landmarks of Eastern Ukraine, such as the Belgian quarter of Lysychansk, which won the Belgian [Royal] Award for the best architectural heritage of Belgium abroad in 2018. Unfortunately, Russian troops have now destroyed Lysychansk. to the ground Therefore, the key element of the film, which improves the viewer's impression and his connection with history, is the contemplation of the last glimpses of a once peaceful eastern Ukrainian city.

We also show outstanding French buildings in Druzhkivka and German settlements in the village of New York. In addition, we show unique photographs from that period. Modern graphics are used to visualize key historical events, and animated inserts from the archives allow for a more accurate and clear representation of Donbas. Poignant photographs of European capitalists, industrialists and Ukrainian workers are also used to enhance the visual narrative. This documentary is the first of its kind in Ukraine, which showcases animated archival materials on the big screen, serving as a creative tool for informing and shaping a narrative.

By following our main characters, filming the picturesque sights of the region and weaving together a real story, we aim to create a cinematic experience that transcends time and space, allowing viewers to connect with the history of Eastern Ukraine in real time.