Kevin Goetz is joined by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky. The pair discuss Afineevsky’s unlikely journey from childhood in the Soviet Union and Israel to becoming an Oscar-nominated director. Afineevsky shares behind-the-scenes stories about making powerful documentaries like Cries from Syria, Winter on Fire, which turned the world’s attention to the rising conflict in Ukraine, and Francesco, which offered him rare access to Pope Francis. He also provides insight into his filmmaking philosophy and drive to create documentaries that educate, inspire action, and work as tools for positive change in the world.

Starting from his childhood fascination with filmmaking in the Soviet Union, Evgeny describes seeing rare foreign movies in Russia during the 1980s, like Gone with the Wind, that offered a glimpse outside the USSR. After moving to Israel, Afineevsky recounts meeting Menahem Golan and coming to Hollywood in the 1990s.

Afineevsky describes the risks he took to make his documentaries, and how the effects of making these films in war zones caused him to develop PTSD.

It’s a tough thing. Like every soldier, you have PTSD, and you are trying to deal with this, but at the same time, as a filmmaker, you’re seeing how important your job is and how important what you do because you become an inspiration to the people. Your stories become inspiration. You are able to inspire people to do good things.

— Evegeny Afineevsky

The pair discuss parenthood and how having a child motivated Afineevsky to make movies that can change the world.

We, as filmmakers, we can educate the world, we can bring the truth, we can bring the spotlight on the issues and change them, and it’s us who can create a better future for our kids.

— Evgeny Afineevsky