Martin Dorazín is a tall, hardworking, award winning war correspondent from the Czech Republic. His heartfelt radio reports offer a close view of the daily lives of Ukrainian civilians enduring the long-term impact of war. Through his composed perspective, we witness both the struggles of the people and his own balancing act in the field, where he works alongside Oleg, a Ukrainian baker, priest, and humanitarian. Reporting from the front lines – often without internet, electricity, or reliable information – Martin navigates constant danger, supports vulnerable and traumatized individuals, and strives to maintain his own mental and physical stability.
War Correspondent does not focus on military victories but instead captures the enduring resilience of civilians who remain rooted in their homes amid constant explosions. The film also reaches beyond the war, emphasizing that a society’s strength lies in its most vulnerable members. Collective survival depends on unity, a theme that resonates even in times of peace.
Martin Dorazín is an esteemed war correspondent who views his frontline work as a mission rather than just a profession. He has reported for Czech Radio since 1990, with a six-year period at Czech Television from 1998 to 2004. In September 2014, he and colleague Vít Pohanka were briefly detained by pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk, Ukraine. In May 2016, Dorazín was awarded the Karel Havlíček Borovský Award for his objective and outstanding coverage of war and crisis zones. In January 2022, he departed from Warsaw to Ukraine, arriving in Mariupol just before the conflict began, documenting its onset and staying through the heaviest fighting for a year. He was among the last journalists to leave the ravaged city. In October 2022, Dorazín became Czech Radio’s first permanent correspondent in Ukraine, and in February 2023, he received the prestigious Ferdinand Peroutka Journalism Award.
This event is free and open to the public and is co-sponsored by the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures and Doc Films.
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