A new documentary titled ‘Return My Name’, produced by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was released on February 17, 2023, on YouTube. The film addresses the return of bodies of Ukrainian soldiers previously classified as missing in action.
The documentary, directed by journalist Marian Kushnir, opens on the battlefield and follows the journey of recovery, identification, and eventual return of the deceased to their families. It aims to shed light on the profound grief inflicted by the ongoing conflict with Russia, emphasizing the human stories behind the statistics of war.
The film’s synopsis notes, “This is an honest account of the soldiers of this war who are listed as missing. It is not merely about records, statistics, or the fact of death; it is about the extensive efforts of those who identify and name the fallen. It concerns thousands of families searching for their loved ones and the sacrifices they have had to make.”
‘Return My Name’ illustrates the emotional weight of the term ‘missing in action’ through personal narratives, including the story of a woman who, within a year, became a wife, mother, and widow.
The premiere took place on February 10, 2023, at the Zhovten Cinema in Kyiv, attended by relatives of the missing, individuals involved in the search and identification of fallen soldiers, military personnel, veterans, journalists, and human rights advocates.
The screening and subsequent discussion were organized collaboratively by the Center for Civil Liberties and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The documentary was developed over six months, with support from the Pulitzer Center.
The film’s production team includes Marian Kushnir as the author, Dmytro Dzhulai as the editor, and Vladyslav Yatskiv as the producer, with cinematography by Kushnir, Pavlo Kholodov, and Hanna Kudryavtseva, and editing by Viktoriya Makarova and Kushnir.
The documentary 'Return My Name' by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty explores the emotional and human aspects of identifying and returning the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers missing in action. Through personal stories, it highlights the ongoing impact of the conflict on families and communities.
Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty