Watch Breaking Point: The War for Democracy in Ukraine

Breaking Point: The War for Democracy in Ukraine is a documentary film that takes a deep dive into Ukraine's political crisis in 2014. Directed by Mark Jonathan Harris and Oles Sanin, it features a combination of interviews, news footage, and personal stories in order to paint a comprehensive picture of the events that transpired. The documentary begins with the peaceful protests in Ukraine's Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) in November 2013. These protests were ignited when then-president Viktor Yanukovych announced his government's sudden decision to abandon an agreement with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia. Yanukovych's decision sparked anger among the pro-European Ukrainians who believed that it would ultimately lead to a loss of sovereignty and democratic freedom. As a result, the "Euromaidan" protests began, drawing hundreds of thousands of people from across Ukraine as well as neighboring countries such as Poland.

Through interviews with demonstrators, politicians, and journalists, the documentary shows the emotional and political upheaval caused by the protests. Many Ukrainians saw the protests as a chance for change and to regain their independence from Russia, which had exerted strong influence on Ukraine since the breakup of the Soviet Union. However, Yanukovych responded with brutality, putting his own interests above those of the citizens. This sparked an even larger outcry, which ultimately led to his ousting in February 2014.

However, the victory of the Maidan protesters was not to happen as easily as they thought. After Yanukovych fled to Russia, pro-Russian separatists seized control of the Crimean peninsula in March 2014. This led to a conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which ultimately lasted for years.

The documentary reveals the difficulties of the conflict, the fighting in the Donbas region, and the police and military brutality against the citizens. The footage of Ukrainian soldiers and volunteers fighting against the separatists and Russian army can be intense at times, but the documentary carefully examines both the personal toll of the conflict and its effects on Ukraine's future.

The film also gives a voice to those who supported Yanukovych, providing a balanced view of the conflict. More importantly, it highlights the importance of free and fair elections as a cornerstone of a true democratic society. In October 2014, Ukraine held presidential elections, which featured a large number of candidates, including former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. The current President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, eventually won the election and vowed to bring Ukraine closer to the European Union.

The documentary also delves into the effects of the conflict on the people of Ukraine. It shows how the war has torn families apart, displaced people from their homes, and wiped out entire communities. In one particularly poignant scene, Ukrainian soldiers fight for their country's independence, while their family members watch on television, praying for their safety.

Breaking Point: The War for Democracy in Ukraine is a gripping and emotional documentary that provides a comprehensive look at Ukraine's political crisis. Through its interviews with both supporters and detractors of the Euromaidan protests, it provides a balanced view of the conflict while highlighting the importance of democracy, free elections, and liberty. The documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in politics, current affairs, or Ukraine's past, present, and future.

Breaking Point: The War for Democracy in Ukraine is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 83.