Ukraine on Fire

I think Oliver Stone has been a bit of an enigma his whole career. He actually doesn't have that much to do with the production of this movie, in fact the interviews he did with Putin were done on off days while filming "Snowden". We do need to give credit where credit is due though and acknowledge that as uncomfortable as Stone will make you feel with his research, he usually digs a lot deeper than others. (I'm referencing the "Winter on Fire" documentary specifically.)

I think what a person should do, is watch "Winter on Fire" then watch this movie. Reason being, in the very pro-west documentary, you won't think about some things in that documentary and other things you'll have questions about and wish they had dug deeper. Then this documentary explains why they didn't dig deeper.

I've read several comments that this is pro-Russia. I disagree, I think they explain how Russia has screwed over the Ukrainian people. They don't dwell on it the whole time because they want to explain the entire complexity of the situation. The reason Putin probably likes it is because it shows both sides of the story, and if we're frank about it, nobody looks good but at least you get the full story.

I'm American, but I lived in Russia from 1989-1993. I've spent a lot of time in Kiev. I can tell you from my first hand experiences, this documentary portrays the situation more accurately than anything else. The dots connected in this make more sense.

The reason I only gave it 8/10 is because the production value is lacking. It almost looks like they used an Envato template for some of the graphics. Everything outside of that is just great. It's more journalism than documentary.

Speaking of journalism, I think that will be the "red pill" moment for most people when comparing this and "Winter on Fire". Without giving too much away, look at how Tetiana Chornovol is portrayed in both documentaries. Considering there is footage of her doing some of these specific actions in this documentary, I think you can see why this one is likely closer to the truth.

I looked throw the polarizing reviews. And it's rather sad. There isn't "the truth," or "pure Russian propaganda." This documentary was made before the war in Ukraine was made public to the Western World. Most of the polarizing reviews are written after the major invasion of Ukraine.

Now after getting the nonsense out of the way. I really enjoyed this documentary because it gives the audience a fresh look at the Ukrainian conflict, between the East and the West. Oliver Stone I'm sure isn't a genius like Noam Chomsky but he is looking at the Ukrainian problem in this doc, from his perspective, and this is very obvious. Gray or grey...not right or wrong.

What I really enjoyed about Oliver's documentary, is that I got a fresh perspective, different from the major networks from around the Globe. I go new information that I was never exposed to before. Giving me an opportunity research new material.

A documentary isn't meant to be a justification for one cause or another, it's hardly two hours long! A good documentary is meant to peak your interests and open your mind to new perspectives...that is all. Any doc that claims "The Truth," is obviously just propaganda/marketing.

Oliver went out of his way not to make an outright claim on knowing the answer. And this is the reason I enjoyed watching it so much. Right or wrong, I got new insightful information! Which is a lot more than what our mass media feeds us...

I agree with another reviewer that suggested first watching Winter On Fire and then watching this one. And then I want to add take both with a grain of salt and do your own independent research.

Both documentaries seem to give the perspective of either side without really painting a complete picture.

Viewing both really helps you understand that this situation is not black and white but a very complicated gray.

A great podcast if you are looking to do more research on this topic and how the US Specifically has gotten involved in this conflict is Congressional Dish. This podcast also lists all of its sources (including congressional hearings, spending bills, everything is sourced). This podcaster is American and she does not dive too much into what Putin has done in this conflict but that is only because she operates on the fact that she has no control over Russia's government but since her (and all American's) tax dollars and her elected officials are making these decisions she is trying to inform other American's what is being done in our name.

Episode Numbers: 207, 244, 248.

1. Watch the movie. It's dull, but shows there are two sides to every argument.

2. Ukraine has been in conflicts for Years.

3. Ukraine has been corrupt forever.

4. I found the next two minutes after 19:30 thought provoking.

5. As of today, we USA have given Ukraine 1 billion dollars.

6. That billion could be spent at home. We have a huge Homeleness problem.

7. I feel sorry for the Ukrainians that are moral, and uncorrupted, but this is Not our fight.

8. I'm beginning to wonder if we should have taken Poland into NATO now.

9. I don't want WW3 with a nuclear entity, and especially for a country that has been in conflict for years.

10. Watch the movie, and see what you think. I forgot about all the corruption in Ukraine. That billion dollars needs to be strictly accounted for. My hope is it all goes to the people, and the people's weapons, and not to some guy in a track suit.

11. You want to cry? Go to an American homeless site.

I am a Ukrainian citizen.The film reveals true facts about Ukrainian history and Maidan.

But there are things missing here like interviews with Georgian snipers hired to shoot peaceful protesters in Kiev and details on bombing of civilians in Donetsk and Lugansk. Horrible events.