A Southwark university is screening a film that tells the story of a British journalist uncovering the truth about Holodomor, a famine in Soviet Ukraine that killed millions in the 1930s.
The screening on the evening of May 10 is free and open to all, but London South Bank University (LSBU) is asking for donations for #HelpUkraine, the charity of the Ukrainian Association of Great Britain, which is working with Ukrainian charities to provide medicines, food and critical services to support the most vulnerable in Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia.
Mr Jones tells the story of Gareth Jones, a journalist from Wales who travelled to the Soviet Union in 1930s and was among the first to report the truth about the Holodomor. His account was not believed by the mainstream media.
He was later killed in Mongolia in 1935 – the BBC reported in 2012 that the NKVD, the Soviet secret police, may have been behind the murder. Mr Jones was awarded the Ukrainian Order of Merit at a ceremony in Westminster Central Hall in 2008.
The Holodomor was devastating: estimates of the death toll range between 3.5 and 10 million. Ukraine and fifteen other countries consider it an intentional, genocidal famine by the Soviet Union against the Ukrainian people. Others consider it a tragic side effect of the ‘collectivisation’ changes made to Soviet farming practices.
The screening of Mr Jones, which stars James Norton, Vanessa Kirby and Peter Sarsgaard, will be followed by a short discussion of the film and its themes.
Sir Simon Hughes, chancellor of LSBU, who helped organise the screening, said: “The timing of this event is incredibly timely and relevant. The story of Gareth Jones shares a strong synergy with what is happening in Ukraine today”.
Gareth Jones’ great nephew Graham Colley who lived in Elephant & Castle for many years, was also among the organisers of the screening.
To sign up please click here. You can donate online or at the event.
Programme
5.45pm – Arrival & registration
6pm – Introduction & scene setting
6.05pm – Film Screening
8.05pm – Panel discussion with Q&A
8.45pm – Networking
9.15pm – Close
You will receive a confirmation email a few days before the event takes place