Espreso. Global

"Songs of Freedom": Ukrainian Eurovision winner shows war realities in new documentary

26 February, 2024 Monday
16:50

Starting on March 4, the film will be available in the US on 52 documentary websites. Currently, it is streaming on Voice of America's platforms

client/title.list_title

The Voice of America has produced a documentary about singer Jamala and the war against Ukraine, Jamala: Songs of Freedom, which had its world premiere on the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Jamala, the acclaimed Ukrainian singer and songwriter, is the winner of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest and the prestigious WIBA World Award. Recognized as one of the foremost influencers in 2022, she also attained a position among the top three global artists featured in the Spotify Equal 2023 playlist. Her latest album, "QIRIM" (Crimea), earned a spot in the top ten albums in Europe, with its songs enjoying widespread rotation in over 15 countries. Demonstrating a deep commitment to her homeland during the ongoing war, Jamala has actively supported and fundraised for the Ukrainian Armed Forces since the initial days of the war.

"February 24, 2022 is the start of what is my struggle," says the singer. 

The film begins with exclusive footage from Jamala's phone showing the events that took place in the first hours of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The journalists seem to be watching Jamala throughout the documentary, recording all the events and consequences of the war against Ukraine, which has been going on for two years. 

"This documentary, initiated by the Voice of America, is not about me, it's about us, about each of us. Every frame of this movie shows what Ukrainians have been going through for two years. It is about the history since the beginning of the full-scale invasion by Russia, about these two years of losses, pain, suffering, expectations and uncertainty. But at the same time, this movie is about our desperate struggle for our freedom. Each of us, in our own place, is trying to do everything in our power to speed up our victory. We donate, raise funds, volunteer, rescue, rebuild, defend... and we will definitely win!" Jamala says about the film.

International viewers can watch the film in English on the Youtube channel of the Voice of America.

The film features videos shot by VOA journalists in Ukraine in cities such as Bucha, Irpin, and Kyiv. The journalists also travel abroad with the singer, where she performs at world venues such as the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, the Global Citizens in New York, the Kennedy Center honors in Washington, D.C., and others, as well as raises funds to help Ukraine and tells the world about her homeland.

According to the singer, this film can be on a par with other documentaries about the war against Ukraine, such as 20 Days in Mariupol and The Long Day.

"The beauty of this movie is that it's not a feature film about me, but they [Voice of America journalists] were really watching all the time. I don't even remember when the cameras were there. It's really about observing me during the acts of help," adds Jamala.

"Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Jamala has really become one of the leading faces of the country and one of the political advocates of the Ukrainian cause," Dean Vuletic, a historian of the Eurovision Song Contest, expressed his opinion about Jamala in the film.

"The fact that Jamala can meet with international audiences at concerts, with politicians and speak in her own voice is really an asset to the world, to the democratic community of nations," adds Orysia Lutsevych, Director of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House.
 

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Wednesday
15 January
11:28
OPINION
Guarantees of Ukraine's disintegration: key takeaways from Lavrov's press conference
11:09
EU shipyards repair Russian Arctic gas tankers despite sanctions - media
10:51
Ukraine reports 170 clashes at front, repels 70 Russian attacks in Pokrovsk sector
10:30
Exclusive
Conscription age in Ukraine may be lowered if partners boost military aid - MP Kniazhytskyi
10:12
Drones target distillery near military training ground in Russia's Tambov region
09:54
Russia's massive missile attack targets critical infrastructure in western Ukraine
09:35
Russia loses 1,580 soldiers, nearly 400 pieces of equipment in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Tuesday
14 January
21:40
Exclusive
Trump to nullify International Criminal Court warrant by meeting with Putin - expert
21:25
Zelenskyy releases video showing interrogation of captured North Korean soldier
21:10
South Korea ready to take DPRK soldiers captured by Ukraine
20:52
OPINION
Biden took the “safe route”
20:30
NATO starts Baltic Sentry mission, Tusk announces increased presence
20:07
46% of Ukrainians prioritize NATO membership over EU accession – KIIS survey
19:46
Exclusive
“Breaking new ground”: Defense Express on Ukraine’s largest strike on Russian military targets
19:25
Updated
Ukrainian Air Force technicians report mass transfers to infantry; General Staff responds
19:06
Volker expects “decisive approach” in Trump’s Ukraine policy
18:45
Depletion of Russian air defense exposes rear regions to strikes
18:24
Ukrainian exports entered 16 new markets in 2024
17:59
Slovak opposition to call no-confidence vote against Fico government over shift to Russia
17:38
Russia’s military aviation: What happens to 1,100 aircraft not in combat over Ukraine?
17:13
Ukraine may cease to exist in 2025, negotiations should be with U.S., says Putin's aide. Ukraine responds
16:52
Military exercises in Gomel District, Belarus, pose no threat to Ukraine – SBGS
16:34
Ukraine sets up 36 working groups to prepare for EU membership negotiations
16:14
Russian "court" sentences seven Ukrainian POWs involved in Kursk operation
16:03
Updated
Ukraine launches massive strike on Russian military targets, up to 1,100 km deep
15:57
Russian agents exploit families of Ukrainian POWs for sabotage
15:37
Exclusive
'Trump is unpredictable but farsighted': VOA's Myroslava Gongadze on Greenland controversy
15:16
Russian oil tankers stalled as U.S. sanctions bite
14:52
Ukraine's largest long-range strike to date hits key Russian military and industrial sites
14:38
Ukraine exports almost $25 billion worth of goods to EU in 2024
14:17
OPINION
Mobilization of 18-year-olds: the West's excuses for its own failures
13:50
Exclusive
From Bryansk to Kazan: Ukraine targets Russian defense industry with precision strikes
13:31
OPINION
Biden in his last presidency days finishes off Russian economy
13:03
Review
Ukraine receives world's most advanced self-propelled gun from Germany: Column by Serhiy Zgurets
12:42
Exclusive
Challenges in Kursk region now are future challenges for Seoul – military expert Selezniov
12:23
OPINION
Fico, Szijjártó, and Orbán use "gas" statements to portray Ukraine as unreliable. Vitaly Portnikov column
11:53
Ukraine repels 77 Russian attacks near Pokrovsk, 166 clashes along frontline
11:36
Exclusive
All border settlements with Russia destroyed: Ukrainian border guard on Sumy situation
11:12
Exclusive
China builds icebreaking navy: expert Lakiychuk on Arctic struggle
10:53
Russian troops cut two roads in Donetsk to push Ukrainian forces from Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad — ISW
More news