The international broadcast of the 96th Oscars faced backlash in Ukraine for excluding the segment announcing the documentary feature award, won by '20 Days in Mariupol.' The documentary, a collaboration between The Associated Press and PBS' 'Frontline,' offers a firsthand account set in the Ukrainian port city during the early days of Russia's 2022 invasion.
Ukraine's public broadcaster Suspilne, the exclusive Oscars broadcaster in the country, expressed disappointment at the omission of the Best Feature Documentary category in the international version. The broadcaster opted to air the unedited cut to Ukrainian viewers instead of the condensed version provided by Disney, the official international licensing agent for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Disney stated that decisions on which portions and categories to exclude for the condensed broadcast were made in advance. International licensees receive both a live version and a 90-minute edited version of the show, with the latter often preferred by broadcasters. The exclusion of '20 Days in Mariupol' from the shortened broadcast sparked criticism on social media in Ukraine.
The documentary's win was celebrated in Ukraine as a significant achievement, shedding light on the atrocities in Mariupol. The film captured the horrors of the Russian army's actions in the city, showcasing civilian casualties and devastation.
The Oscar win marked a historic moment for both the filmmakers and the news organizations involved. The documentary team, including the producer and editor, received accolades for their impactful work. The acceptance speech emphasized the importance of preserving the truth and honoring the memory of those affected by the conflict.
Overall, the recognition of '20 Days in Mariupol' at the Oscars highlighted the power of cinema in documenting history and ensuring that the voices of the affected are heard and remembered.
