Iron Butterflies

Before becoming a filmmaker, Ukrainian film director Roman Liubyi was a film editor. That is why editing plays a crucial role in his latest documentary, Iron Butterflies. By synthesising archival and documentary material, the author conducts an analysis that gives the viewer information about the flight of a Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17, which in 2014, the Russians shot down from the sky. All the people on board were killed.

The strength of Iron Butterflies lies in its commitment to uncovering the truth. With a combination of archival footage, documentary footage, experimental cinematic methods, and analysis, a deeply moving narrative is created that pays homage to the lives lost and the uncompromising pursuit of justice. One of the documentary's remarkable qualities is its skilled use of various storytelling techniques. This includes a well-constructed montage, convincingly integrating animation, voiceovers and video archives that reconstruct the timeline and events leading up to the tragic incident. This approach offers new perspectives on an otherwise overwhelming and complex subject.

At first glance, Iron Butterflies may seem like a form of cinematic investigation, but upon closer examination, we realise that it represents the concentrated evil in the world and the syndrome of impunity that surrounds the individuals who construct this evil. It offers an incisive look into the power of propaganda and its role in shaping public perception, which the government use as justification for their citizens and rest of the world for the Russian war in Ukraine. It also provides a thought-provoking commentary on the broader implications of such propaganda tactics in the modern world. The archival material, which includes footage from social media and news broadcasts on Russian television, clearly shows how the propaganda constructed by the Russian government works and we witness the extent of the dehumanization that has been achieved through this propaganda.

A testament to the power of documentary cinema in uncovering and sharing stories that must not be forgotten, Liubyi offers a compelling, cruel, and necessary examination of an event that shook the world. This documentary reminds us of the importance of seeking the truth and remembering those who are affected. Iron Butterflies is an unforgettable journey into the heart of a tragedy, reminding audiences of a renewed understanding of the human cost and the pursuit of justice.

In a world filled with fake news, which produces apathy and cruelty, Iron Butterflies serves as a compelling reminder of the importance of shedding light on the darkest corners of modern history.