“People of Freedom’s Color”: New documentary chronicles civilian resistance in occupied Ukrainian territories

The Locals (Tuteshni) NGO is nearing completion of its latest documentary, People of Freedom’s Color, which highlights the stories of nonviolent resistance in russian-occupied regions of Ukraine from 2014 to the present. The film features accounts from civilians in Crimea, the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Kherson, Melitopol, and Novoazovsk, as well as activists from the Yellow Ribbon and Zla Mavka grassroots movements.

Details of the project were shared during a press briefing at Media Center Ukraine.

“This film, People of Freedom’s Color, is our own form of nonviolent resistance,” said screenwriter Anna Sliusarenko. “It’s a cultural manifesto, our voice, to ensure we are heard, to ensure the voices of those still under occupation, those who stayed behind and are now imprisoned for their pro-Ukrainian stance and loyalty, are heard through us.”

The filmmakers received voice messages and videos through secure channels from people currently living under occupation. Their testimonies appear in the film, with disguised voices and faces obscured to protect their identities.

“We wanted to present diverse stories of resistance, stories that continue to unfold,” Sliusarenko said.

A documentary’s core message is the preservation of Ukrainian identity under occupation. According to the film’s director, Liudmyla Melnyk, even small acts, such as tying yellow ribbons or reading Ukrainian literature, pose serious risks but serve as powerful acts of defiance.

“It’s critical to convey this reality,” Melnyk noted. “Someone might see a yellow ribbon and think it’s nothing. But that ribbon could mean 15 years in prison, sometimes more. Meanwhile, in russia, a person can get seven years for murder. It was important for us to show that even after 12 years of living under occupation, people still hold on to their Ukrainian identity.”

Unable to travel to occupied areas, the filmmakers asked residents to document their surroundings themselves.

“We were able to record voice messages, and we also asked people to send video footage showing what their cities look like now,” Melnyk said. “The video quality may not be perfect, but these are firsthand glimpses from people who still live there.”

The film will premiere on June 30, with an advance screening for government officials, NGOs, and members of the media to draw attention to the challenges in occupied territories and the urgent need for a cohesive state policy to maintain communication with these regions. 

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news