Am I Ukrainian Enough? (2024)

With the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kateryna Hantseva, director of "Am I Ukrainian Enough?", finds herself grappling with her idenVty. For Kateryna, coming from Kharkiv where Russian was commonly spoken, the abrupt confrontation with hostility towards Russian language becomes a catalyst for profound introspection. As she grapples with the weight of societal expectations and the need to affirm her Ukrainian identity, she confronts a soul-searching question: “Am I Ukrainian enough, if I speak Russian?”.
Returning to Ukraine after a year and a half, the director embarks on a journey in search of answers. Her quest begins with a visit to her family's village in the Poltava region, where she delves deep into her linguistic roots. Here, she engages in conversations with her grandmother, effortlessly switching to Surzhik, a blend of Ukrainian and Russian spoken by her relatives.
Transitioning to Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, Kateryna witnesses the war's impact on daily life, including a blackout caused by shelling. Engaging in dialogue with her emotionally charged mother, she grapples with the evolving linguistic dynamics of her homeland. Reflecting on over two years of enduring shelling in Kharkiv, Kateryna's mother encourages the director to switch to Ukrainian, revealing the deep emotional scars left by her experiences. This conversation highlights the complex relationship of identity and language, resonating not only within Ukraine but also beyond its borders.
As the documentary concludes, Kateryna reflects on her journey, pondering whether she has found the answers she sought. Through her journey, the film sheds light on the universal struggles faced by individuals as they navigate their linguistic heritage amidst the chaos of conflict.

Keywords: identity crisis | personal story | language problems | conflicts | introspections | Ukraina sõda | Ukrainians | Russian language | View all »