Op-ed by Sofia Kasianenko, A Strategic Communication Specialist with 10+ years experience across the UN system
I walked into Disclosure Day expecting a science-fiction film. I left thinking about journalism, trust, and what connects us as human beings.
As a former journalist, I was drawn to the film’s central question: what happens when people are confronted with a truth so profound that it challenges their understanding of the world? The story is about communication, fear, empathy, and our willingness to listen.
One idea stayed with me long after the credits rolled. The film’s main antagonist argues that humanity has lost trust in itself. A nun expresses a similar concern from a completely different perspective. Two characters standing on opposite sides of the story arrive at the same conclusion: we no longer trust one another.
Perhaps that is the film’s most important message.
In a world shaped by polarization, conflict, and suspicion, Disclosure Day offers a different perspective. Beneath our differences, most people want remarkably similar things: to love and be loved, to accept and be accepted, to feel safe, seen, and understood.
Understanding begins when we choose curiosity over fear. When we see another person as a human being before seeing them as “other.”
That idea resonates deeply with me. I spent years working in journalism and strategic communications, professions built on the belief that understanding is possible. I still believe dialogue is stronger than division and that common ground can be found, even when it seems out of reach.
For a film about first contact, Disclosure Day ultimately asks a very human question: can we trust each other enough to truly connect?
I still hope the answer is yes, even after living in a war zone for twelve years straight.
Read this piece and more on Sofia’s Linkeden Page
