MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Not only has Netflix suspended services in Russia following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, it made a statement to the world by putting the Oscar-nominated documentary Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom on YouTube, available for everyone to watch for free.
The documentary captures the civil unrest in Ukraine from the years 2013 to 2014, due to civillians calling for the resignation of President Yanukovich. In particular, it follows student demonstrations in Kyiv that grew more and more violent. The film was originally released in 2015, directed by Evgeny Afineevsky and written by Den Tolmor.
In 2016, Winter on Fire was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary (Feature) and the category Exceptional Merit for Documentary Filmmaking.
We stand united.
Viewing of Winter on Fire is up sevenfold — including in Russia. https://t.co/GVAlRt7qvr
— Netflix (@netflix) March 5, 2022
In solidarity, filmmakers have also been promoting the film, urging everyone who hasn’t see it to make the time to watch it.
https://twitter.com/SeanPenn/status/1498158241863241736
Wow. This is an incredibly powerful testament to the indomitable spirit and courage of the Ukrainian people – Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom (2015). It can be watched on Netflix pic.twitter.com/CzuFofdKUL
— Peter Stefanovic (@PeterStefanovi2) March 2, 2022
Netflix is also putting a hold on all projects and acquisitions from Russia. Other leading film studios have made similar moves, including Disney, Warner Bros., and Sony, all of which have halted theatrical releases of their movies in Russia.
A wave of brands and agencies have also released statements to show that they stand with Ukraine.
