82 Days in Hell

In 82 Days in Hell, Mariupol residents, soldiers, aid workers and Ukrainian intelligence officers recount their experiences of life in shelters. They talk about hunger, fear, betrayal and warm solidarity. They also recount what happened to the thousands of captured Ukrainian soldiers afterwards. Some are now free, while others remain detained. Through these personal accounts, 82 Days in Hell offers an intense insight into one of the most dramatic events of the war in Ukraine.

With no daylight, no contact with the outside world and a dire lack of food and medical aid, the inhabitants of Marioepol try to survive in inhuman conditions. In the underground bunkers, a makeshift society of young and old, rich and poor - even pets are part of this community. But tensions mount. Who cares for the other - and who especially for themselves?

Above them, a ruthless battle rages. For 82 days, Azovstal holds out, while the factory is continuously bombed. Then the inevitable decision falls: Ukraine capitulates. The civilians are evacuated. The military surrender, are disarmed and taken away to Russian camps as prisoners of war. Many are released months later through prisoner exchanges and tell their stories - of degrueling, fear, but also the unimaginable strength with which they held out.

Much of what happened was recorded, by the sheltering people themselves, with their mobile phones. Based on those images and personal testimonies, director Jasper Christiaens created the documentary series. '82 Days in Hell' offers an insight into the reality of war. The series shows the impact of the siege on ordinary civilians and reveals the hardships they had to endure.

Foto: BNNVARA & VRT