“20 Days in Mariupol” win cut from international version of Oscar ceremony

The organizers of the Oscar ceremony have removed the category "Best Feature Documentary" from the shortened international television broadcast. 

The Ukrainian film "20 Days in Mariupol" by director Mstislav Chernov won in this category, delivering a powerful speech, Rubryka reports, citing the Ukrainian public broadcaster "Suspilne."

Today, March 11, Suspilne planned to screen the shortened international version of the award ceremony. However, after receiving materials for broadcast from the organizers, the publication found that the awarding of "20 Days in Mariupol" was missing. Some other categories are also absent.

According to the report, the Suspilne team expressed their indignation to the organizers of this year's The Walt Disney Company Limited.

Instead of the shortened version for Ukrainian viewers, Suslipne will show the full version, which was aired overnight on March 11.

Meanwhile, the executive producer of the Suspilne Kultura, Lukian Halkin, commented on this incident, stating that a protest had been sent to "Disney."

"Our team was shocked and deeply disappointed when we did not see the nomination for 'Best Feature Documentary' in the international version of the edit, where the film '20 Days in Mariupol' rightfully won. Mstislav Chernov's powerful speech underscored the unity between Ukraine and the world — it is all the more regrettable to see the exclusion of this full truth and strength episode from the version distributed to the world licensors of the Oscars. It is worth noting that last year, for this same category won by the documentary about Navalny, there was a place in the shortened version and for the political speech of his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, who accepted this seemingly apolitical award. We hope that the award organizers will listen to our protest," Halkin said.

Must-See Film

World leaders congratulated director Mstislav Chernov on winning the award and recommended watching the film.

"'20 Days in Mariupol' is a must-see. Congratulations to Mstyslav Chernov and all who made this film for the world to see Russia's war crimes in Ukraine," said US Charge d'Affaires in Ukraine Bridget Brink.

Also, the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and the Foreign Ministers of Estonia and Lithuania recommend watching the film "20 Days in Mariupol."

"Congratulations, Ukraine, on the first victory at the Oscars. '20 Days in Mariupol' is an absolutely must-watch film that fearlessly reveals the harsh reality of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and provides a powerful antidote to its propaganda," Sandu wrote.

Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also expressed his excitement about the film, writing on social media that this Oscar is deserved because the film shows us painful moments in history.

"'20 Days in Mariupol' is a must-see movie, it is yet another reminder and a close-up of what Russia's cruel and inhumane war looks like," Tsahkna wrote.

Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis called "20 Days in Mariupol" the best documentary film of the year.

"The best documentary this year, and compulsory viewing for anyone who wants to know what Russian "peace" looks like. Watch it and understand why Ukraine will never give up," Landsbergis wrote on social media.

Mstislav Chernov's film "20 Days in Mariupol," about the siege of Mariupol by Russian forces in February-March 2022, won the Oscar for "Best Documentary Feature." This is Ukraine's first Oscar award in its entire history.

Mstyslav Chernov's film "20 Days in Mariupol" received the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award for Best Documentary Film. The film also received the Directors Guild of America (DGA Awards).

Mstyslav Chernov's film "20 Days in Mariupol" became the highest-grossing documentary film at the Ukrainian box office.

The world premiere of "20 Days in Mariupol" took place at the Sundance Film Festival in the USA in 2023, where the film received the Audience Award.