Eddy's War screening at Advocacy Coalition event;
Credit: Chronicle.lu
On Monday 9 November 2026, the Dutch Embassy in Luxembourg hosted an event at Ciné Utopia in Luxembourg-Limpertsberg as part of the "Ukraine Advocacy Coalition - Defending Our Future Now" initiative.
Around a hundred people attended the event which took the form of a screening of the feature-length documentary film "Eddy's War" followed by a brief panel discussion.
The Dutch Ambassador to Luxembourg, Carin Lobbezoo, welcomed everyone and talked briefly about the monthly events hosted by different embassies in Luxembourg, all members of the Advocacy Coalition. She said that those attending were going to watch a documentary about a photographer, but the film is actually about Ukraine. She said that the photographer had travelled to Ukraine around ten times annually, as well as to other war zones previously.
Film screening
The 101-minute film featured acclaimed Dutch war photographer Eddy van Wessel who, for four years, travelled alone along the Ukrainian front lines to "take the ultimate photo one more time, the image that summarises the entire conflict and makes all the struggles, traumas and setbacks he has endured, worthwhile". For this documentary film, filmmaker Joost van der Valk followed in his wake and documented how van Wessel experienced and recorded the war through encounters and interactions with Ukrainians.
It was visibly harrowing, with images of soldiers and civilians suffering, with many bodies discovered, some on roads and others in doorways of buildings. Much was covered while being close to the front line, including of residents, both individuals and families, who have refused to move - all for different reasons. There were also many photographs of graffiti showing messages such as “Welcome to Hell”, as well as scenes of soldiers being captured and listening to their stories.
Panel Discussion
Following the screening, a panel discussion took place featuring Ambassador Lobbezoo, photographer Eddy van Wessel and Inna Yaremenko, President of LUkraine Asbl.
Eddy van Wessel reinforced the message that the hero of the film was not him, but the people of Ukraine. He said that while it is upsetting, it is the current reality in Ukraine, which he felt a duty to report. He said that in the media stories make the news when the body count rises, but he wanted to go beyond that. He also talked about filming with analogue cameras which he explained cannot be adapted by AI. In response to a question from the audience, he said he could not remain independent.
Inna Yaremenko said that his job was very important and is crucial to show what is happening in the front line. She acknowledged how he keeps each photograph personal to him and said that he is “doing a great job”.
Ambassador Lobbezoo mentioned that Eddy van Wessel has an exhibition of his photographs on display in a museum in the Netherlands, which she said he updates with new photographs all the time, presenting a visual history of what is happening now.
The event concluded with a short reception.
About the Advocacy Coalition
The Advocacy Coalition project was launched in February this year, with different embassies in Luxembourg organising monthly events, to share information on what is happening in the conflict. In October, the British Embassy in Luxembourg hosted an event at the National Library.
