Who, If Not Us? The Fight for Democracy in Belarus

(Wer, wenn nicht wir? Der Kampf für Demokratie in Belarus)

In 2020, mass protests were held in Belarus against the 30-year dictatorship of Alexander Lukashenko. Women were often on the front lines. The film tracks 3 of them: Darya, Nina, and Tanya.

If change is to come, we must become the change ourselves. This belief unites the heroines of the film, who, though bullied by the authorities, stand up against the regime’s injustice on a daily basis. After her colleagues from the Viasna Human Rights Centre are arrested, Darya continues to work in exile. And in Belarus, 74-year-old Nina persists in her protest with quiet tenacity, reconciled to the threat of detention. Tanya, founder of the Watch Docs human rights festival, lives apart from her husband and son, who have fled to Ukraine. When Russia invades all of Ukraine, the Belarusian civil society will face a new struggle. Even as the noose gradually tightens around the last resisters in Belarus, hope for change never dies.

Prague Municipal Library – Small Hall, Mariánské nám. 1, Praha 1

Discussion
Juliane Tutein, Director
Tanya Hatsura-Yavorskaya, Protagonist
tickets

Cinema of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic, Sněmovní 4, Praha 1

Discussion
Nina Skepyan, Moderator
Juliane Tutein, Director
Tanya Hatsura-Yavorskaya, Protagonist
Ondřej Kolář, Member of Parliament
tickets
TitleWho, If Not Us? The Fight for Democracy in Belarus
Original TitleWer, wenn nicht wir? Der Kampf für Demokratie in Belarus
Original LanguageBelarusian
Subtitles Czech, English
PremiéraCzech premiere
Film typeFull-length documentary
Year of Production2023
Country of OriginGermany
Length77 min.
Tags Dictatorships, Women's rights, Europe
Director Juliane Tutein

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Who, If Not Us? The Fight for Democracy in Belarus