Documentary on Ukraine’s genocide to premiere in Minnesota and North Dakota

A documentary film about the genocide in Ukraine, produced by three Ukrainian churches, will screen in Minnesota and North Dakota, reported Olya Soroka, head of the Holodomor Committee of the Ukrainian World Congress.

“Holodomor: Minnesota Memories of Genocide in Ukraine” will air on Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) in January.

The project is the outcome of four years of cooperation between parishioners from the Ukrainian Orthodox and Greek Catholic churches in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, including St. Michael’s and St. George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, St. Constantine Ukrainian Catholic Church and St. Katherine Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The 30-minute documentary explores how the tragic memories of the Holodomor – the man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine in 1932-1933 that claimed millions of lives – have been preserved and passed down through families, communities, and generations.

“I wanted to make the story of the Holodomor personal and relatable for American audiences,” said first-time writer and director Zina Poletz Gutmanis.

The film also draws parallels between the 1932-1933 genocide and the current one – Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This connection is made through the participation of Ukrainian soldiers, who are currently undergoing rehabilitation in one of Minnesota’s medical centers.

Another key message of the film is the vital role of the global Ukrainian community in preserving the memory of the Holodomor and advocating for Ukraine’s support, both during the genocide and in the present-day war.

It premieres on Jan. 5, 2025, 8 p.m. local time on TPT MN (2-2).

More than 75 Ukrainian Americans contributed to the documentary’s production.

To watch the trailer and learn more about the film, visit the provided link.