The Other Chelsea: A Story from Donetsk

In the eastern Ukrainian coal-mining city of Donetsk, two things dominate: the pro-Russian separatist movement and football. In this documentary from 2010, we follow the miner Sasha and the separatist politician Kolya in the wake of the Orange Revolution. Resistance against the Ukrainian state is growing in Donetsk, and simultaneously the local football team Shakhtar is experiencing success on the European stage. The team is financed by the oligarch Rinat Akhmetov and filled with Brazilian star players and has a brand new stadium on the way. This is in sharp contrast to the mine which lacks money, equipment and electricity.

The Other Chelsea – A story from Donetsk offers a distinct picture of a city torn between two countries. We get unique access to both politicians and businessmen, and the film is an excellent example of so-called "sportswashing". In addition, the film offers insight into the working class of Donetsk, who love football, mining and Russia.