On November 1, in honor of the European Union’s Foundation Day, the largest screening of the Ukrainian documentary film “ZЛO” took place, uniting 34 countries, 50 locations, and 1,749 participants, including both Ukrainians and foreign citizens.
This event was recorded in the World Record Book as it was not only a massive film screening but also a collective effort to set a world record.
The initiators of this achievement were the film’s director Olena Moshynska and producer Larysa Dakhno. Their goal was to reveal the truth about the war in Ukraine to the world through real facts and events documented by Ukrainians themselves.
The documentary film “ZЛO” is based on unique archival materials, historical facts, and eyewitness testimonies that uncover the nature of evil in the context of modern events in the Russo-Ukrainian war.
“I did not expect such attention to our film! It is valuable and important to us that you convey our message to people in Europe, Asia, America, Canada, and worldwide. Ukraine is going through very difficult times, and many in Europe truly do not understand what is happening here. The countries that have already watched the film were unaware of many facts about Ukraine. Our work would not be as valuable if it weren’t for all of you: if you hadn’t embraced it and spread it to others! Thank you so much!” emphasized Olena Moshynska, the film’s director.
“I thank everyone who joined our initiative worldwide! Thank you for finding an opportunity to connect with the truth, to understand the roots of this war. I am a doctor and had no prior involvement in film production. I hope there will never be such terrible events that would push me emotionally to take up producing such distressing projects. When the full-scale war had been ongoing for one or two months, and we received no assistance from Western partners, I realized that something needed to be done. That’s why I invited Ukraine’s best documentary director, Olena Moshynska, to help realize the project,” noted Larysa Dakhno.
The producer expressed her gratitude to all participants who united for a common purpose, including:
In Ukraine: Kropyvnytskyi (Mariia Chorna, NGO “Public Associations of Mariia Chorna”), Khmelnytskyi (Alina Skomorokhova, NGO “MOZHU”), Chernihiv (Olha Zaika), Lviv (Ukrainian National Forestry University, Nadiia Klym), Ternopil (Tetiana Chubak, Honorary Consulate of Hungary in Ternopil and Ternopil region, Podolyany Shopping Center).
Internationally: Germany (Oksana Shoorlemmer, Nord Haus UA), Canada (Nadiia Yashan, Business Woman Pro Canada), Czech Republic (Oleksandra Fadieieva), Spain (Zoriana Sozanska), Switzerland (Olesia Tarasenko, Ukrainian-Swiss Foundation VIDNOVA), Slovakia (Olha Semanchakova, NGO “Nasha cesta”), Greece (volunteer group “Lisovi Mavky,” Nadiia Hnytka), Norway (Inna Kryvenko), Finland (Olena Halchenko, Kalyna-Finland Ukraina Ostrobotniia Kalyna rf), Gran Canaria, Tenerife (Liudmyla Krupska, Olesia Lylak Chyzhovych, Association “Two Lands, Two Suns”), Slovenia (Halyna Malovshek, Berehynia Union), Montenegro (NGO Ukrainogortsi), Latvia (Ukrainian-Latvian Friendship Society, Valerii Olenichuk), Georgia (Valentyna Mardzhanishvili), Moldova (Viktoriia Karlinska, National Congress of Ukrainians in Moldova), Estonia (Inna Hordiienko, Volodymyr Palamar, “Association of Ukrainian Organizations”), Armenia (Olena Volodymyrivna Shevchuk), Australia (Aliona King), Nigeria (Danylo Shevchuk, Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria), South Korea (Mariia Zakharchenko), Italy, Azerbaijan (Lidiia Aliieva), Belgium (Lana Pelykh), France, USA, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Hungary.
Initially, there was concern about the film’s two-hour duration, but after the event, attendees were reluctant to leave, engaging in long discussions about historical facts many were unaware of, including why Ukraine found itself in this war.
The screening garnered positive feedback from diplomats, politicians, public sector representatives, and businesspeople from various countries. Following the record-setting screening, further large-scale showings are planned for late November and early December.
The event also had a social aim: during the film screening, participants could contribute to fundraising for facial surgeries for injured defenders. Donations can be made via this link: https://www.privat24.ua/send/drtdc . Hanna Krysiuk, Director General of the World Record Book, sincerely thanked all participants for their tremendous support and attention to current events in Ukraine.
“We haven’t recorded a world record in a long time. This was a challenging record due to the resistance faced, fear, and the responsibility people had to bear for participating. But what responsibility is there for truth and the genocide Russia is committing against Ukraine?” Hanna Krysiuk emphasized.
The event was organized with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the International Assistance Headquarters for Ukrainians, and the Public Union “World Ukrainians.”
Thank you to all organizers, participants, and record-setters who came together, united, and honored the memory of those who gave their lives for Ukraine’s independence!
