In a recent episode of ‘Gem’s Journals’, filmmaker Janek Ambros provided insight into his latest project, a documentary titled Ukrainians in Exile. The film captures the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, focusing on the experiences of refugees. Janek, who primarily works in narrative film, felt compelled to document the crisis due to his Eastern European heritage and personal connection to the stories of war.
Janek described how he initially set out to help refugees by providing food and medical supplies at the Poland-Ukraine border. “I didn’t go with an organization,” he explained, “I just brought my camera and started filming what I saw.” His footage eventually evolved into a short documentary, aimed at raising awareness and support for those affected by the war.
One of the central figures in the documentary is Anya, a Ukrainian woman who chose to remain anonymous due to the dangers she faced. Janek connected with her through a journalist, and her reflections on the exodus of Ukrainians provided the emotional core of the film.
Janek also discussed his decision to partner with Blue Check, a nonprofit co-founded by actor Liev Schreiber, which vets and funds grassroots organizations in Ukraine. “They make sure the money goes directly to people who need help,” Janek said, emphasizing the importance of working with trusted charities when creating films about humanitarian crises.
Despite the challenges of documentary filmmaking, including navigating online criticism and maintaining the anonymity of subjects, Janek remains focused on his goal: raising awareness and encouraging support for Ukrainian refugees. He advised aspiring documentary filmmakers to partner with nonprofits and to keep their films simple and accessible to maximize their impact.
Janek continues to promote Ukrainians in Exile on the festival circuit, using it as a tool to support Blue Check and the ongoing needs of Ukrainian refugees. His next project, a political satire titled Nixon’s Nixon, is set to delve into the complexities of American politics during the Nixon administration.
For more information on Ukrainians in Exile and to support Blue Check, readers are encouraged to visit the link provided below.
BlueCheck Ukraine: www.bluecheck.in/
Podcast Link: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gemsjournals
Reporter: Gemma Gordon
Instagram: @gemmaegordon