Servant of the People

As a documentary filmmaker who has had the privilege of capturing the lives of some remarkable individuals, I can confidently say that Volodymyr Zelensky is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing figures I’ve encountered. His meteoric rise from the world of comedy to the presidency of Ukraine, followed by the Russian invasion, has transformed him into a global symbol of courage and resilience.

Add The Zelensky Story to your watchlist.

Instead of starting with a typical documentary about a well-known politician showing them in a formal setting, the BBC’s three-part series on Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky breaks convention by opening with clips from his 2015 comedy show “Servant of the People.”

The transformation of Zelensky from a comedy actor to a wartime leader is truly remarkable, as noted by British director Michael Waldman. Initially, he was aware only of the basic fact that a comedian had taken up the role of Ukraine’s President. However, during the documentary production, he discovered the depth and intricacy of Zelensky’s tale, which was far beyond his initial expectations. This is similar to Michael Waldman’s experience with The House, a series about the Royal Opera House for which he won a Bafta award.

“Currently, he stands as the most prominent individual on Earth, right in the heart of a massive global and military upheaval. This turmoil impacts every corner of the world. Yet, even if Ukraine were a lesser-known nation not engaged in conflict, his tale would still be incredibly remarkable.”

As a movie critic, I’d say: In “The Zelensky Story,” we witness the extraordinary transformation of a comedic TV personality, known for his wins on Ukraine’s Dancing with the Stars-esque competition and his voiceover work as Paddington Bear, into an unexpected yet captivating President of Ukraine. What makes this tale even more compelling is how he transitioned from satire to reality, standing tall against Vladimir Putin’s encroaching Russian forces, emerging not just as a President but as an inspiring symbol of resilience and hope.

Servant of the People

The timing of this situation seems almost perfect, considering the latest cross-border assault in Kursk, which marks the largest intrusion onto Russian soil by Ukrainian troops since the conflict started in February 2022, is being viewed by some analysts as one of President Zelensky’s most daring moves yet.

For Waldman, getting access to Zelensky was “incredibly complicated”. He forged a relationship with Zelensky’s ‘gatekeeper’ Deputy Head of Office, Olena Kovalska, but it was a while before an interview with the President was permitted.

“Waldman expressed his joy by stating, ‘He granted us 50 minutes instead of the allocated 25,'” implies that Waldman was initially concerned about the individual speaking Ukrainian and being hostile. However, to his surprise, they conversed in English, displaying a relaxed, personable, humorous, and seemingly sincere demeanor.

In addition to interviews with Zelensky and his wife Olena, this documentary also includes prominent figures such as former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, ex-Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, former UK defense secretary Ben Wallace, and Ukrainian film producer Alexander Rodnyansky. Rodnyansky, an Oscar-nominated producer, shares his memories of Zelensky as they go back more than 20 years. According to Rodnyansky, everyone who met Zelensky was deeply impressed by him. He was a natural leader and had a strong charisma even among the talented individuals he surrounded himself with. People found him easy to like, and he enjoyed being liked. Moreover, he believed in his own abilities and achieved great success.

Servant of the People was the dream of all good Ukranians – an ordinary person replaces our corrupt bureaucrats

As Zelensky gained prominence as a sharp satirist, the TV show “Servant of the People” resonated deeply with the public, leading to the registration of a political party bearing its name in 2018. The character portrayed by Zelensky, Vasily Petrovych Goloborodko, became determined to root out corruption within the government oligarchy.

According to Rodnyansky, “Servant of the People” represented a long-held aspiration among decent Ukrainians: an average citizen taking charge instead of our customary corrupt officials. This was the key factor behind Zelensky’s popularity and affection – something I never imagined he would give up so willingly.

During his presidency, which began prior to the war in 2019, it seemed challenging for him. I feel that he may have underestimated both his capabilities and those of his team. He made commitments that ultimately proved unattainable, promising reforms that he never implemented. This led to a decline in his popularity. While there was no question about his integrity and good intentions, people began to express doubts about his capability.

As a movie reviewer, I’d say: “The events of February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, served as a transformative moment for President Zelensky. According to Rodnyanksy, they still maintain contact every few months. This experience has matured and seriousness into him, fueling an anger and resilience I’ve never seen before. It provided him with a renewed sense of purpose.”

“His capacity to guide during turbulent times of war, his bravery and tenacity, left me astonished. I hadn’t anticipated that he would rally millions to unite, instilling hope in the future. He demonstrated immense courage by standing firm with his nation, going above and beyond in his efforts to aid Ukraine.”

According to Waldman, he found Viktor Yanukovych to be less traditional in his statesmanship when they first met during the filming in Ukraine. “He’s certainly a politician and he knows how to handle himself. However, there was something genuine about him that I couldn’t ignore.”

It’s not unreasonable to assume that he considers his impact on others carefully, whether it’s during interviews, speaking in parliament, or addressing his nation; yet, there’s a genuine quality to his words. He genuinely believes what he’s saying. I find it hard to believe that while working in television, he didn’t have an ego… However, observing him interact with those around him, he showed no signs of arrogance or condescension. Instead, he was incredibly charming.

In another instance, journalist Waldman managed to chat with Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine and wife of President Volodymyr Zelensky, who shares a past as schoolmates and university colleagues. “He said I spent more time with her than he did,” Waldman chuckles. At first, she appeared serious and chilly. But then, after I made a somewhat playful remark that amused her, she warmed up. She’s a refined woman accustomed to flattery, and my approach seemed to work.

“She’s incredibly intelligent, witty, and humble. She never aspired to be the First Lady – in fact, she expressed hope that he would lose the election – but there’s a resilient quality about her. One wouldn’t want to confront her. It wasn’t until he announced his presidential bid on TV that she found out about it. She shared with me her initial feelings of anger. Yet, their relationship managed to endure through it.”

In the documentary, there seems to be a deep sorrow within her, as if she regrets the course their lives have taken. Waldman concurs, stating that she bears the burden of current events differently than he does. They both appear quite weary.

Clearly, Zelensky left a deep impact on those responsible for producing the documentary. However, Waldman acknowledges that it’s not an entirely positive portrayal. There have been voices of criticism, such as diplomats who felt he was slow to react to events, concerns about his handling of corruption, and questions raised over some of his actions. Waldman is aware that there are more criticisms circulating in other areas as well.

“Had peace reigned, my friend Zelensky’s presidency would have concluded a mere three months past. Yet, fate has different plans, keeping him at the helm till this war concludes. But when the dust settles and the battle cries cease, what lies ahead for him? At just 46 years old, there’s much more to his story.”

“As for me, I find myself captivated by the idea that he may return to his comedic career on television. The thought of creating a sequel documentary chronicling his life post-war is enticing. Frankly, I can hardly fathom how this story could fail to be utterly captivating.”

2024-08-30 15:05

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