The YouTube channel of Hromadske hosted the online premiere of the documentary film “After the Era of Silence”, dedicated to the history and current events of anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine.
The film has English subtitles.
The film was produced by Hromadske in partnership with the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) with the support of the European Union Anti-Corruption Initiative in Ukraine (EUACI).
The goal of the partnership project is to provide viewers with a comprehensive understanding of the state of anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine over time, with a focus on events following the Revolution of Dignity, in response to society’s demand for addressing systemic corruption.
The documentary highlights the historical background and evolution of corrupt practices in the country, which accumulated and transformed over the years of independence and ultimately led to large-scale civil society protests during the Revolution of Dignity.
The film explains why Ukraine subsequently chose this particular path to combat corruption, outlining the stages of development and the specifics of the anti-corruption infrastructure as a whole - from specialized institutions (NACP, NABU, SAPO, and HACC) to networks of investigative journalists, whistleblowers from various sectors, and integrity education in academic institutions. The evolution of anti-corruption activities is illustrated through the most high-profile cases and precedents encountered by anti-corruption authorities, each of which played a key role in changing the “rules of the game” in Ukrainian politics and public administration.
Special attention is given to the role of civil society organizations, activists and independent media, for whom an extensive system of open data and services has been created to monitor government decisions and actions. At the same time, the long-standing support of anti-corruption efforts - particularly the independence of relevant institutions - by civil society is highlighted as one of the main factors ensuring the stable and effective functioning of the entire anti-corruption infrastructure. Wide media coverage of corruption cases and the public’s readiness to respond to threats to anti-corruption reform, even amidst a full-scale war, serve as both a testament to the era of transparency and democracy and a solid foundation for the irreversibility of Ukraine’s anti-corruption course, especially in the context of active European integration.
“After the Era of Silence” is primarily an educational project that, in addition to the aforementioned aspects, provides a detailed explanation of the logic of interaction between anti-corruption bodies, their competencies, and key results, including holding high-level officials accountable and the long-term impact of dismantling corruption schemes. Ultimately, the film attempts to show that real anti-corruption is the result of a complex architecture of institutions, tools and civic engagement, oriented toward deep transformations and long-term perspectives.
NACP expresses gratitude to all partners who supported the idea and participated in the creation of the first documentary film on anti-corruption in independent Ukraine.
The project was implemented within the framework of item 1.2.2.2.5, “Ensuring the implementation of an information campaign on the role of central executive bodies and local government authorities in preventing and combating corruption,” of the State Anti-Corruption Program for 2023–2025, and the Communication Strategy in the Sphere of Corruption Prevention and Combating for the period up to 2025.
