The 23rd edition of the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival, CPH:DOX, will commence with the world premiere of the documentary Mariinka, directed by Belgian filmmaker Pieter-Jan De Pue. The festival is set to take place from March 11 to March 22, 2024, in Copenhagen, Denmark. This film, which has taken nine years to complete and was shot on 16mm film, will compete in the festival’s main category, DOX:AWARD.
The documentary explores the profound impact of war on Ukrainian lives, particularly in the Donbas region. According to the film’s synopsis, Mariinka begins its narrative long before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine captured global attention. It follows the stories of several young individuals whose lives have been irrevocably altered by over a decade of conflict. Among them is a promising boxing talent who becomes a military paramedic, and a girl who resorts to smuggling goods across the frontline to survive. The film also highlights a tragic family dynamic, featuring two brothers who find themselves fighting on opposing sides of the conflict, while their youngest sibling remains safe with a foster family in the United States.
The production of Mariinka involved a collaboration among various companies, including Savage Film, Beetz Brothers Film Production, and Submarine, alongside contributions from ZDF and ARTE. The extensive collaboration reflects the film’s European roots and its deep engagement with the ongoing conflict.
Niklas Engstrøm, the artistic director of CPH:DOX, emphasized the film’s urgent relevance in today’s media landscape. He noted, “Mariinka is a film that insists on our attention at a time when attention itself has become a scarce resource.” Engstrøm praised De Pue’s commitment to the story, stating that he has focused on the human experiences shaped by war rather than chasing the latest news cycle.
The documentary seeks to present the Russian invasion of Ukraine not merely as a headline but as a lived reality filled with complex human emotions and relationships. Engstrøm added, “The result is a remarkable cinematic achievement that refuses both distance and simplification, presenting the Russian invasion of Ukraine as lived reality, carried in bodies, relationships, and impossible choices.”
This year’s CPH:DOX promises to spotlight the significance of documentary cinema in addressing urgent global issues. Engstrøm remarked on the importance of confronting the complexities behind headline events, underscoring how films like Mariinka can challenge viewers to engage with the nuanced realities of conflict. As the festival opens its doors, the anticipation for Mariinka sets a poignant tone for the discussions surrounding the ongoing war in Ukraine and its far-reaching consequences on personal lives.
