Sean Dengler.

“20 Days in Mariupol” is a documentary worth watching. This film is about a team of Ukrainian journalists trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol struggling to continue their work documenting the war’s atrocities as the Russian invasion begins. It is a harrowing piece of work by the journalists, and it provides a real-time account of the ugliness of war.

Footage shows what happens when war comes to people’s front doorsteps, and how fast society disintegrates when impacted by war. It makes one grateful to live in the United States. The film is not easy to watch, it is graphic, but it is of important significance. It also won this year’s Academy Award for best documentary.

In contrast with the United States, polarization has made American politics feel too cutthroat. While true, there is nothing like war. Preventing anything like this on American soil is of the utmost importance. “20 Days in Mariupol” will make you never want to be a part of any war. It might be fun to play war themed board games and video games, but real world consequences are very scary.

For the citizens who are a part of a war, it should be the world’s job to help protect them and give them a place to live until they have the chance to go home. War creates a humanitarian crisis, and it is devastating. This film made me feel like I took living in the United States for granted. This country has its issues, but it is wonderful to live in a country as amazing as the United States of America. Everyone has their differences but resulting in violence is not the option. The security, which is provided by the military, the United States’ place on the global scale, and this democracy gives citizens a place to have their voices heard.

Not everyone is provided this in the world, and unfortunately, the United States does not have the capacity to provide this to the world’s citizens. Humans want to live in a place where they feel secure, and they will never be attacked. For most on the planet, most live in these conditions. What is shown in “20 Days in Mariupol,” it is clear some are not afforded these conditions, or these conditions can be taken away within a matter of days. It is important to try to prevent and stop war from being an option in the first place for the sake of humanity. This is a tall task. Humans love to war with one another, but watching this film will at least provide a new perspective.

Sean Dengler is a writer, comedian, farmer, and host of the Pandaring Talk podcast who grew up on a farm between Traer and Dysart. You can reach him at sean.h.dengler@gmail.com.