The non-competition programme Ukraine War Archive/Fragments of Resistance will present films created by serving military personnel, communications units, and documentary filmmakers. At the centre of these works are military units, combat operations, the daily reality of war, and the people who have become part of the resistance to Russian aggression.
'Since the start of the full-scale invasion, many artists, documentary filmmakers, and other media workers have joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Now serving as soldiers, they continue to make films — only now from the perspective of those who are not observers but participants. It seems important to me to single out this layer of contemporary documentation of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war: in particular, to narrow the distance between the military and the civilians who will watch these films, and to draw attention to stories that often remain outside the public sphere,' remarks the programme's curator, Tetiana Symon.
A still from the film Omega
The programme includes both feature-length and short films. Omega by Yuliia Orlenko follows a special forces unit for whom — after raids behind enemy lines — humour, ritual and mutual support help them remain themselves. From The Ground Up by Vadym Ilkov tells the story of how a group of people from civilian professions built an effective military unit capable of carrying out combat missions without casualties. In The Owl, Ilkov turns his attention to mobile fire groups that hunt Shaheds through the night.
A still from the film The Owl
Genie in the Air by Serhii Lysenko immerses viewers in the work of three FPV drone pilots and, through slow observation, allows us to see the human beings behind the combat missions. Eternal Sun by Liza Svyrydenko is dedicated to the memory of Captain Denys 'Khimik' Shevchenko, commander of a company in the Hroza Battalion and posthumous Hero of Ukraine.
A still from the film Eternal Sun
The short films include (Not)Alone by Oleh Arkhanhorodskyi and Kyrylo Sharov, which reflects on the intellectual and ethical burden of war through the work of the headquarters of the 4th Battalion 'Syla Svobody' of the 'Rubizh' Brigade; Samuel Bayer: Beyond the Frame by Dmytro Hreshko, which documents the journey of the American director and creator of music videos for Nirvana and David Bowie to Ukraine following his meeting with soldiers from Cultural Forces; Tyhon by Volodymyr Palylyk, which follows a group of Ukrainian soldiers returning from their positions; and War Mechanics by Volodymyr Sydko, which introduces the company commander for ground robotic systems. Following each screening, audiences will be able to take part in discussions with the filmmakers and protagonists.
A still from the film Samuel Bayer: Beyond the Frame
The festival will also host the premiere of Witnesses. Place of Birth, created by director Maryna Kronhlevska and the Ukraine War Archive team. The film tells the story of the Chernihiv maternity hospital in February and April 2022, when the city was encircled by Russian forces with no reliable access to food, water, or medicine. The screening will be accompanied by a discussion on the experience of giving birth during wartime.
For screening times, please visit the Docudays UA website.
In addition to film screenings, the UWA will present two public events as part of the festival's human rights programme, RIGHTS NOW!
A still from the film War Mechanics
The event Technologies for Searching for Missing Persons: Practical Solutions and Tools will present and discuss the Missing People tool developed by the Ukraine War Archive team for the effective search for missing persons through cross-referencing data from open sources with information from civil society organisations and authorised government bodies.
Speakers:
Eleonora Belei, Head of Research at the UWA;
Nataliia Yashchuk, Senior Manager for Post-War Recovery at the Centre for Civil Liberties;
a representative of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
Moderator: Tetiana Katrychenko, journalist and Chair of the Media Initiative for Human Rights.
10 June, 14:30–16:00
Venue details will be provided to registered participants
A still from the film (Not)Alone
The discussion Who and When Will Bring Russia’s War Crimes to Justice? The Role of Digital Archives will examine how collected, preserved and verified materials can contribute to future justice processes.
Speakers:
Maksym Demydenko, co-founder of the UWA (online);
a representative of the Office of the Prosecutor General;
Kateryna Busol, Associate Professor of International and European Law at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and Legal Adviser at the International Center for Transitional Justice;
Moderator: Oksana Ivanytska, journalist at Hromadske.
11 June, 11:00–12:30
Zhovten Cinema 'Sweet Life' hall
These events will take place with the support of the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine, funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, Estonia, Canada, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, and Sweden.
Information partners of the Ukraine War Archive/Fragments of Resistance programme: Ukraïner, Tochka Shodu.
Main photo: From The Ground Up
The 23rd Docudays UA is held with the financial support of the European Union, the Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine, and the Ukrainian State Film Agency. The opinions, conclusions, or recommendations do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the governments of these countries. Responsibility for the content of the publication lies exclusively with the authors and editors.
