Of many improbable paths, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s was probably the most unusual. Starting out as a comedian, he became wartime president in record time. A ZDF documentary now traces his career.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy talks and talks, he begs and appeals, he literally begs. “It’s about our survival. Don’t let us down. If we fall, you will too,” he warns. Less drama is not possible, because his country, Ukraine, has been shot to rubble by Russian troops for weeks. The head of state addresses the world via video and intervenes in the parliaments of the EU, the USA, Germany and Great Britain. The war president almost always wears an olive-colored shirt. Standing ovations are guaranteed, sometimes even the voices of the interpreters dissolve in tears.
Zelenskyj’s words not always fruitful
But to his displeasure and that of the Ukrainians, his carefully chosen words do not always provoke the reaction he was hoping for. Hardly anyone is willing to implement the requested no-fly zone, and quite a few states continue to transfer huge amounts of petroleums to Moscow, thereby financing the Kremlin’s aggression. Sometimes, however, the Ukrainian President also knocks on open doors. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, for example, pledged to send “Bushmaster” armored vehicles to Eastern Europe after Zelenskyj’s speech to MPs in Canberra.
A few months ago, hardly anyone could have imagined that Volodymyr Zelenskyj would find his star role in the world-class Man of Sorrows. Possibly not even himself. All his life, the now 44-year-old was the joker. A mixture of Mario Barth, Anke Engelke and Bully Herbig. As an actor, he played the President of Ukraine in the series “Servant of the People” and when the last season aired in 2019, he was elected the real President of Ukraine with 73 percent.
All borders blur
The TV portrait “Who is Volodymyr Zelenskyj. Controversial politician, celebrated war hero” now shows how the boundaries between old and new media, between reality and entertainment, between oligarchy and referendum dissolved back then.
The documentary shows the completely improbable path of the academic offspring, who joked his way into people’s hearts with salaciously flat jokes and then had the chance for a kind of presidential dress rehearsal. He used them. And even more he played the social networks virtuoso. It’s possible that the short clips that Zelenskyy now sends out of the streets of Kiev at night or with tired eyes are his real asset as war president. Sometimes alone, sometimes with parts of his government, he shows himself to be a steadfast head of state who will not be intimidated or even driven out. Some dismiss his perfectly staged performances as mere acting. Others believe it is exactly what helps the country.
You can see “Who is Volodymyr Zelenskyy” on Monday, April 11, at 8:15 p.m on .
Source: Stern
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
