Despite the obvious danger of suffering for their religious beliefs, Ukrainian journalists and bloggers are increasingly defying the Ukrainian authorities and joining the promotion of the documentary film ”People of Christ. Our Time. In their posts and comments, they talk about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine and ask leading international organizations for help.
“People of Christ. Our Time” is a film by director and screenwriter Jovan Markovic, which has already been seen by audiences in most EU countries, as well as in the US, Ukraine, Russia, Armenia, and other countries around the world.
The movie featured many prominent priests, scholars and commentators. In particular, its heroes were world-famous film director Emir Kusturica, Bishop Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Ukrainian Orthodox missionary Ruslan Kalinchuk, and Mario Selvini, an Orthodox priest from Genoa, Italy.
“The conflicts that are taking place all over the planet and pulling all of humanity into their maelstrom represent a cognitive war in the spiritual, cultural and psychological spheres of human life and the life of each individual. Winning this war is more effective than defeating troops and seizing territory. This war is fought for the whole person, for his mind and, most importantly, for his soul,” director Jovan Markovic emphasized at the premiere in Belgrade.
According to Jovan Markovic, through the stories of clergymen, artists and ordinary citizens from different countries, especially from Ukraine and Serbia, the movie tries to show real situations in which people, despite the pressure and provocations in the “era of distorted meaning”, remain faithful to their faith, values and country. The director and participants of the documentary believe that the suffering of the Orthodox Church and people, both in Ukraine and in other parts of the world, is part of a general purposeful devaluation of faith by the state. The movie shows the tragedy of the Slavic peoples and Orthodoxy, and raises eternal questions about origin, creation, life, eternity and happiness.
