DOCUMENTARY PROJECT MAY9
The war between the former Soviet republics — the Russian Federation and Ukraine — has uncovered many unreflected, often silenced, and hidden aspects of their shared history. Ukrainian performance artist Maryna Semenkova, now living in exile in Berlin, explores how past events are excited people’s feelings and used in contemporary propaganda narratives.
The short film “MAY9” is a performative intervention, filmed on May 9, 2024, the 79th anniversary of the end of World War II. On this day, Semenkova visited Treptower Park in Berlin — a memorial to Soviet soldiers, part of a triptych with monuments in Russia. The park became a place to reflect on how the myth of “fighting fascism” has been appropriated by modern Russian propaganda, where Ukrainians are labeled as fascists for their desire to preserve their country’s territorial integrity and their national identity.
The project incorporates three visual perspectives: the artist’s performative actions, photographs taken during her research by the artist, and aerial footage of the park. Original sound design captures the atmosphere of the space, including fragments of conversations, sounds of nature, and urban noise.
The project examines how the historical memory of World War II has been transformed into a tool of political influence. Russia, illegally appropriating the victory of the USSR, uses this narrative to justify its current aggression against Ukraine. “MAY9” raises important questions about the rethinking of history and its impact on the present.
The 13.48 minute documentary video is only available via a direct link.
MARYNA SEMENKOVA 