Ahsoka Star Ivanna Sakhno Wants To Make Sure The World 'Doesn't Look Away' From Ukraine
Ukrainian actress, Ivanna Sakhno sits with Forbes senior, editor Kristin Stoller, at the 2024 Forbes 30/50 Summit to talk about the war in Ukraine, and how Hollywood and the broader international community can help.
0:00 Introduction
1:21 Ivanna Sakhno's Outreach In Ukraine
3:54 Remaining Educated About The Crisis In Ukraine
5:05 Ivanna's History With Philanthropy Work And Her Focus
7:09 Ivanna On Being An Activist And Actor
8:01 Ivanna On The Importance Of Storytelling/Art Reflecting Real Issues
10:44 Ivanna On Women Being Over-sexualized In Film/Media
12:20 What's Next For Ivanna In Creative Pursuits And Philanthropic Work?
Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?sub_confirmation=1
Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more:
https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript
Stay Connected
Forbes newsletters: https://newsletters.editorial.forbes.com
Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes
More From Forbes: http://forbes.com
Forbes covers the intersection of entrepreneurship, wealth, technology, business and lifestyle with a focus on people and success.
0:00 Introduction
1:21 Ivanna Sakhno's Outreach In Ukraine
3:54 Remaining Educated About The Crisis In Ukraine
5:05 Ivanna's History With Philanthropy Work And Her Focus
7:09 Ivanna On Being An Activist And Actor
8:01 Ivanna On The Importance Of Storytelling/Art Reflecting Real Issues
10:44 Ivanna On Women Being Over-sexualized In Film/Media
12:20 What's Next For Ivanna In Creative Pursuits And Philanthropic Work?
Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?sub_confirmation=1
Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more:
https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript
Stay Connected
Forbes newsletters: https://newsletters.editorial.forbes.com
Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes
More From Forbes: http://forbes.com
Forbes covers the intersection of entrepreneurship, wealth, technology, business and lifestyle with a focus on people and success.
Transcript
00:00 -Mavonna, thank you so much for being here with me today. -Thank you so much for having me.
00:03 -So I know that you moved to the U.S. from Ukraine at 15, is that correct? -Yeah.
00:08 -But you've been doing a lot of activism for your home country in the last couple months and years.
00:13 Can you walk me through a little bit about what you've been doing?
00:16 -Yeah, a little bit over a year ago I became an ambassador of United24. It's the official
00:22 fundraising platform of Ukraine and ever since I started working with them in the education and
00:28 science direction I've been able to witness the devastating impact of the Russian invasion on
00:36 the education system in Ukraine. Over 3,500 educational facilities have been damaged
00:44 severely or destroyed, forcing over 900,000 children to study remotely while suffering
00:55 psychological trauma. And despite this overwhelming challenge that they've been
01:02 dealing with, I've been so deeply inspired by the resilience shown by Ukrainian educators
01:14 and students. Even the most devastating situation that they've been living in, they continue to
01:24 pursue their study, sometimes being in the bomb shelter or under shelling. And I think their
01:32 stories is a testament of unwavering Ukrainian spirit. -That makes a lot of sense. So when were
01:43 you last there and what was the state of the country at that time? -I was last there in May of
01:50 2023 and I was able to meet the people working on the ground. Mostly people that work for United24
01:59 and they're very inspiring, motivated individuals. A lot of them are even younger than I am and
02:06 we've been able to visit some cities that have been nearly leveled by the Russian forces. We've
02:13 been able to visit LACM in the village of Buzova that we're currently rebuilding.
02:20 And I've been planning as well going to Ukraine just before this summit with the International
02:26 Rescue Committee who I just started working with. And due to the security reasons, we had to
02:34 reschedule by a few weeks. But every time I visit, I feel so much closer to my people, just witnessing
02:47 their undying strength is something that I think is the driving force behind everything that I do.
02:55 -What do you think should be done globally to help Ukraine that's not currently being done?
03:02 -I think the global community can help in so many ways from humanitarian aid to advocating for
03:13 stronger international responses. And beyond that, it's also about keeping the conversation alive,
03:21 ensuring that the world doesn't look away because a lot of the world has become desensitized towards
03:27 the news that are being shown. I think it's important to remember that behind those headlines
03:34 are real people, children, women, families that have been living through really difficult times
03:43 and whose lives have been turned upside down. -I think that's a really good point that you brought
03:47 up because I feel like a lot of times there's this trauma, fatigue, and desensitization to what's
03:51 going on, especially when there's things going on in other parts of the world as well. How would
03:55 you advise people to keep Ukraine top of mind and keep pushing on this issue? -I think continuing
04:01 being educated. I think there's a lot of resources online that are quite helpful. Just like, you know,
04:10 if you are wanting to help with humanitarian aid, once again, International Rescue Committee has been
04:17 imperative in helping Ukrainian refugees. I just recently met with some families in Los Angeles
04:25 who have shared their heartbreaking stories. And I think the ability to connect on a
04:36 just human level with people who have struggled with this war is something that can really
04:41 inspire those who thankfully have not had the chance to know what it is to live through war.
04:47 It can inspire them to want to help because I think that Ukrainian people are fighting for
04:55 democratic values around the world and remembering, keeping that top of mind is
05:01 quite important because it's not just Ukraine's fight. -Now, you were still living in Ukraine
05:07 during the Orange Revolution in 2004 and 2005, correct? -Yeah, absolutely. -Can you describe for me
05:12 that experience for you and how that shaped, you know, your career and who you are as a person
05:17 today? -Well, I remember the most vivid memory is it being really cold because it was wintertime and
05:25 I was really young and I remember just standing for, I believe it was around two weeks of
05:33 continuous protest and my brother and I were really young. Everybody was there, communities,
05:41 families were gathering together and feeding each other and standing up for something that
05:45 they really believed in. But I think it's part of the Ukrainian nature because I grew up in a family
05:53 that is celebrating the Ukrainian history and culture so vividly. I'm really, really lucky to
06:00 have been raised by a very strong woman who both my mom and my dad have been also part of the
06:08 revolution in Granite in 1990. So, we have during that time, they were my age. So, we basically have
06:16 generation after generation growing up through revolutions and I really think that that is
06:22 our identity. I think the Orange Revolution and then the Revolution of Dignity in 2013,
06:32 it started through 2014. I was also in Ukraine during that time. It was the first time I came
06:36 to visit my family since I moved to the States. I think they just continue to show the resilience
06:47 of the Ukrainian people and our desire for freedom, our desire for the world to recognize
06:53 us as a nation with a very rich, deep history and culture. Those things, they define who I am as a
07:02 person. - What would you say is your biggest hope for your country today? - Freedom and safety for
07:11 our children. I recognize just how much trauma our people are living through and I really hope
07:21 that we find a way to heal in a way that is helpful for the future generations. But of course,
07:29 the biggest wish has been and will be freedom and peace for my people. - Now, you as an actress,
07:40 I feel like I hear from a lot of creatives that they walk this fine line between advocating for
07:45 what they believe in and their creative pursuits and arts and just trying to keep up this public
07:51 image. How do you balance the causes you believe in while also being in the creative field?
07:56 - I have no choice. I was born into the world that doesn't really allow for me to live a different
08:09 life. But I do believe that as artists or viewers, it is our responsibility to demand and support
08:20 stories and films that recognize and champion stories that reflect the diversity of the world
08:33 that we live in, that champion stories that have been left untold, voices that have been silenced
08:40 and perspectives that have been overlooked. And I think in doing so, we're not only
08:47 enriching our own lives, but contribute to a more empathetic understanding and inclusive society.
08:55 - Going along with that, what stories would you like to see told that aren't being told
09:00 in Hollywood today? - I mean, for me personally,
09:03 it's always been stories of where I come from. As an actor that comes from a country in Eastern
09:12 Europe, from Ukraine, I've definitely been met with the difficulty, especially in the very
09:18 beginning of my career in America, because I've been in the States for 10 years. I've had to
09:30 face the difficulty of going for roles that they're described as a sex worker or a mafia or
09:39 people that have been hired to kill. So I really hope, and I think I do see actually,
09:51 especially with this year and the films that have come out, I've been able to witness that
09:59 diversity being shown much more. And I just hope that people continue to champion those voices.
10:06 My hope remains for the world to be more interested in Ukraine and the Ukrainian people
10:13 and our history, because we have a lot to tell. - Has then your background and your experiences
10:19 influenced the types of roles or projects that you decide to take on today?
10:23 - Absolutely. I also believe that we tell stories that are meant for us. And I think
10:35 as long as you move through your life truthfully to your nature, those stories find you. But of
10:44 course my life and where I come from greatly shaped my choices in the films that I participate
10:54 in. - Besides being cast as a sex worker or a mafia person, what are the other biggest
11:02 misconceptions about people from Eastern Europe or Ukraine that you think you've been fighting
11:07 to overcome, especially in the entertainment industry? - Well, you have just mentioned.
11:13 - Just those two. - I think the
11:18 over-sexualization of a woman is something big, I think, in Ukraine. But it's true, we've had
11:28 prior to the full-scale invasion, I think one of the bigger problems that Ukrainian women have been
11:37 dealing with is sex tourism. But regarding misconceptions, I think my life has been,
11:46 to be honest, so enriched by my own culture that I've been really far away from the misconception.
11:52 And thankfully, I'm surrounded by people who strive to understand more about the world around
11:57 them and the people that they meet that come from different countries. But I think it's about
12:05 understanding that Ukraine is a country with very rich history that goes back hundreds of years.
12:14 Ukraine used to be part of the Soviet Union, but before the Soviet Union, there was also Ukraine
12:21 with people who also were fighting for independence, for freedom. And so I would wish
12:30 for people to be able to be aware of that more and recognize it more.
12:34 - So what's next for you personally, philanthropically,
12:38 anything coming up in 2024 that you're really looking forward to?
12:42 - Within my work and advocacy, I will continue to do everything I can to help my country
12:57 reach peace and independence. And creatively, I'm about to go off to New Zealand to film a movie
13:07 that I'm quite excited about. And I just take it step by step. I really think life has shown that
13:18 you can't really plan ahead that much. So just really try to take it day by day.
13:25 - That makes sense. And last question for you. What, if anything right now, is giving you hope?
13:31 - My people and those who open their heart to my motherland. Those, I think, to be honest, being
13:49 at the summit is a very hopeful endeavor. And I'm incredibly inspired by the women that I've met.
13:58 It gives me hope for a world that hopefully provides a nurturing environment for the
14:11 generations to come. I really hope that that is the case for us.
14:17 - Absolutely. And I wish you the very best of luck on all of your endeavors this year.
14:22 And thank you so much for chatting with me.
14:23 - Thank you so much for having me.
14:25 - Thank you.
14:25 - Thank you.