The film by Yuliia Hontaruk chronicles 11 years of life and service of Ukrainian soldiers.
On July 6th, at the 60th Karlovy Vary Film Festival, the world premiere of Yuliia Hontaruk’s documentary TO DIE TO LIVE (formerly “Iron Hundred”) took place. The screening of the film, which focuses on three Ukrainian volunteers – “Shakhta,” “Tanzor,” and “Potter” – concluded with a 7.5-minute standing ovation. Some viewers were visibly moved to tears.
The film’s protagonists and the production team were present at the world premiere and, from the stage, spoke about the recent shelling of Kyiv. The director began her address by expressing gratitude to the heroes and the team who dedicated over 11 years to creating this cinematic work:
“I also want to thank all Ukrainians who are living through this war and fighting for our freedom. My heroes have been fighting since the beginning of this conflict, since 2014, and remain engaged to this day. This represents a cross-section of an entire generation of volunteers. Tonight, a terrible, massive Russian attack occurred: 351 drones and 68 ballistic missiles were directed at Kyiv. They all impacted civilian buildings and people. This is the reality we inhabit. Simultaneously, my friend’s son was born tonight. We are living this life amidst war. We cherish this life. Because in the face of death, you appreciate life the most. And ultimately, life is far more powerful than death.”
International media lauded the film immediately following its global premiere. The International Cinephile Society commented:
“Hontaruk unflinchingly portrays how war becomes an intrinsic part of one’s being, and the will to live persists strongly even when confronted by mortality. TO DIE TO LIVE is a portrait of acceptance of our mortality and our drive to overcome it. Within the canon of documentary films chronicling Ukraine’s struggle since 2014, this film holds a significant place, as it bravely reveals the toll war exacts on those defending their homeland.”
TO DIE TO LIVE traces its origins back to 2014, when the three Ukrainian volunteers were on the front lines, and the Russian aggression first entered Ukrainian territory. The heroes return home transformed. Having endured losses and faced death directly, they encounter a new challenge: how to reintegrate into a world that seems unchanged? How to remain alive when a part of you has perished on the battlefield? Just as a fragile peace appears to settle and their lives begin to stabilize, Russia launches a full-scale invasion, drawing them back into the fight.
For more details about the film, refer to a separate article on ELLE.UA.
Інформація підготовлена на основі матеріалів: elle.ua