It was just after 2 a.m. on November 22, 2004, when the call went out: “The time has come to defend your life and Ukraine. Your victory depends upon how many people are ready to say ‘No’ to this government, ‘No’ to a total falsification of the elections.”

Regime-controlled media claimed victory for Viktor Yanukovych, handpicked by the corrupt sitting president. But credible exit polls showed Viktor Yushchenko, the opposition candidate, had won.

It was shocking enough that Yushchenko had been poisoned—and nearly killed while on the campaign trail. When reports came in of blatant voter intimidation and damaged ballots, people were outraged. When they realized election officials were in on the fraud, the people had had enough.

In freezing temperatures, over one million citizens poured into the streets of Kyiv and took up residence there. They marched in protest and formed human barricades around government buildings, paralyzing all state functions. Restaurants donated food, businessmen sent tents, and individuals brought blankets, clothing, and money. At night, rock bands energized the protesters.

For 17 days, a group of ordinary citizens engaged in extraordinary acts of political protest. Through the eyes and in the voices of the people in Ukraine, Orange Revolution tells the story of a people united, not by one leader or party, but by one idea: to defend their vote and the future of their country.

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“Steve York pays testament to the true power of democracy with this informative investigation.”
–All Movie Guide

“[A] lively account of the mass demonstrations that gripped Ukraine in 2004. York… nicely captures the excitement and volatility of the events on the ground, and his access to the uprising’s key players makes for a timely and fascinating look at grassroots democracy in action.”
–Chicago Reader

“This excellent documentary chronicles the events before and after the disputed election with interviews with all the key players and superb footage of the protestors, braving Kiev’s cold weather to claim their democratic rights.… Plaudits are due both to the work of Steve York and the bravery of the Ukrainian people.”
–Prostamerika.com

“It feels like a repeat of the sordid U.S. election scandals, where voters were barred from doing their democratic duty and blame was placed on ballots and the process. But during the 2004 elections in the Ukraine—where citizens had endured a visibly corrupt governing under President Kuchma and his endorsed, equally criminal successor, they refused to accept the lies.… a fascinating look at how true leveling power comes with unifying under an umbrella of a belief.”
–The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Awards:

Presidents Award – Chicago International Documentary Film Festival
Bronze Plaque – Columbus International Film Festival

Orange Revolution was shown at:

Los Angeles International Film Festival (American Film Institute)
Chicago International Documentary Festival (President’s Award)
Columbus International Film Festival (2007 Bronze Plaque)
HotDocs Festival Toronto
San Francisco International Film Festival
Seattle International Film Festival
DOCNZ New Zealand International Film Festival
United Nations Association Film Festival
Calgary International Film Festival
St. Louis International Film Festival
Milwaukee International Film Festival
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

Note: The film on this page includes a minor alteration (from the original version) that directs viewers to the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict website.

Credits for the original film include:

Produced and Directed by Steve York
Managing Producer: Miriam A. Zimmerman
Editor: Joseph Wiedenmayer
Executive Producer: Peter Ackerman

This film is available in:

A free companion Study Guide (PDF) for the film is also available for download.

Designed for high school and college use, this 16-page Study Guide contains a synopsis of the Orange Revolution, historical information about Ukraine, brief biographies of major characters, color photos, a timeline, discussion questions, research activities, and additional resources.

Our Resource Library contains hundreds of educational resources on civil resistance in English and over 65 languages. Many of these are available for free download.

Want a place to start looking?  Check out our list of short introductory materials.

We are proud to announce that five critically acclaimed documentary films on civil resistance are now available for free streaming on our website, in an array of languages:

A Force More Powerful: Emmy-nominated documentary exploring nonviolent resistance campaigns in India, South Africa, Poland, Denmark, Chile and the U.S.

Bringing Down a Dictator: Award-winning documentary chronicling the student-led Optor! Movement that led to the ouster of Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic.

Orange Revolution: The 17 days of nonviolent resistance by the people of Ukraine against their chronically corrupt government.

Confronting the Truth: Examining the dynamics and mechanics of Truth and Reconciliation Commissions in South Africa, Peru, East Timor and Morocco.

Egypt: Revolution Interrupted?: Recounting the 2011 Egyptian revolution and its aftermath.

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