From renowned documentary filmmaker Richard Wolf comes Ukraine 5.6, a documentary resource that is both gripping and visually striking. Rather than telling the story of the victors, Wolf sets out to capture a different perspective – the trauma of wars' survivors.
Wolf evokes the words of George Santayana, who aptly contended: "Only the dead have seen the end of the war." The documentary is centered around this concept, cataloging the experiences of those who have survived only to live in the shadow of conflict. The narration declares: “The dead see the end of the war, but the survivors are condemned to cope with immense trauma throughout their lives. Frightened, displaced, unsafe, destroyed, raped. War survivors are in tethers on the brink of collapse. For them, war never really ends.”
Though the film is specific to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent warfare, the human suffering of war is universal due to its scope. The narration presents startling facts and statistics surrounding the gruesome reality of military conflict. “War is the most shameful scourge of mankind. Wars have raged for 92% of human history killing over 1 billion people.” Yet, despite the pervasiveness of war and its consequences, it is also individualized and deeply personal.
Ukraine is home to the deepest subway stations in the world, ironically built by the Russians during the Soviet era – it is in these subway stations that life continues, albeit surrounded by fear and uncertainty, with those seeking shelter forming small communities with barber services, lessons for children and more. Love does not stop for war either, with some even getting married underground.
“Our nervous system, why people react differently in extreme conditions after a traumatic event, everything is explained by the fact that each person has their own life experience.” Says Lyubov Kirnos, a psychologist working for state emergency services. She continues, “A person who is crying is a very good emotional reaction, so we always know that they will be able to quickly get over this traumatic situation… A person who withdraws, who doesn’t cry, who denies, who blames, it’s much more difficult.” She explains that “… fear is a friend of courage…” It is a defense mechanism meant to keep us alive. "If we didn’t feel fear, we should have gone out through the windows of the 10th floor because we wouldn’t have a fear of heights… Fear borders on courage.” Once the initial tragedy has transpired, those who survive are compelled to bravely move forward.
As the documentary progresses, it expounds on these differing reactions to fear, contrasting manifestations of grief, and the wide range of coping mechanisms and emotional fallout following these tragic events, an endeavor in which it excels. The film showcases these feelings through a series of interviews with Ukrainians from various walks of life. Those interviewed react in varying degrees – a young man sheltering in a metro station expresses anger, fear, and a longing for normalcy, while a taxi driver accepts his lack of control in the situation, stating “You can't outrun a shell. If it comes, it comes.” A priest states that though God asks his followers to love their neighbors and show forgiveness, he understands that this is exceedingly difficult in situations as dire as war, telling worshippers that “Forgiveness does not mean forgetting” while a therapist relents that forgiveness may not be possible for some, as the loss they have endured is immeasurable – “Unless God forgives…” She says, “…although I have my doubts.” The documentary highlights these contrasting reactions well, capturing the full scope of emotions at play, and how they are managed.
Gorgeous shots of the lush Ukrainian countryside remind viewers that amidst the destruction of war, there is life, and the cycle of death and rebirth continues. Art is a weapon against the despair of war, and people use art, music, religion, therapy, and service to others to cope. Ukrainians continue to draw, paint, and write poetry; open-air concerts are held to lift spirits; young volunteers travel hundreds of miles and in some cases thousands, to rebuild houses for the elderly. War brings many aspects of life to a halt, but once again, it does not stop love.
Wolf is a master of his craft – having directed almost three dozen documentary films. Ukraine 5.6 is no different; it is thoughtful, captivating, and beautiful to look at, though oftentimes harrowing to do so. There are some minor setbacks, for example, the use of AI overdubs that often sound sterile and emotionless. Sometimes distracting, the content of these statements is haunting enough, though perhaps the simple use of subtitles rather than dubbing to hear the emotion in the voices of those interviewed would have been beneficial. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Immediately after this review was published, the Ukraine 5.6 production team removed the overdubbing, and the final film now contains interviews with the original audio and subtitles.]
Overall Ukraine 5.6 is an intimate and compelling look at the tragedy of war and its consequences. This is a great documentary resource for those who wish to learn more about the ongoing war efforts in Ukraine, as well as those who are interested in social issues in general.
What kind of film collection would this title be suitable for?
Ukraine 5.6 would be a great addition to documentary film collections.
What subjects or college majors would benefit from the content covered in this film?
Students enrolled in political science and social science majors will benefit from a viewing of Ukraine 5.6, as well as those studying psychology and social services.
How would audiences react to this screening?
Though audiences may feel saddened by the subject matter, there is an aura of perseverance and hope throughout. Additionally, the film’s beauty makes it a compelling watch.
Director's Bio
Richard Wolf (www.lobodocs.com) is an American – Brazilian documentary film director and producer. His films tackle social issues from a humanist perspective. Based in New York and Europe, he has directed 34 documentary films in five continents. Wolf's feature documentary A Requiem for Syrian Refugees was released theatrically internationally to critical acclaim, being considered "Powerfully direct" (The New York Times) and "Pained but beautiful" (The Village Voice). Wolf was one of the few filmmakers who managed to obtain entry into Afghanistan during Taliban rule before the September 11 attacks. His film Behind the Veil brought to Western audiences groundbreaking images of women's underground resistance against fundamentalism. Wolf's work embodies a strong gender perspective. His documentary Women of the Sand on women empowerment in the Mauritania desert, is on the permanent collection the Museum of Modern Art. Some of Wolf's films have dealt with taboo social issues such as honor killings. His documentary Dishonorable Killings, filmed in Diyarbakir, Turkey, was premiered in London and shown on the France 24 channel. His visual style has been likened to Dorothea Lange: "Gorgeous visual quality, thanks to the stark black and white cinematography that recalls the depression-era photographs of Dorothea Lange" (The Hollywood Reporter).
Director's Statement
Wars are usually told from the viewpoint of the victors and praise soldiers. My goal in making Ukraine 5.6 is to offer a different perspective on war - the trauma of the survivors. As George Santayanna aptly said: "Only the dead have seen the end of the war." The survivors have to cope with the physical and psychological scars of war for the rest of their lives. While drawing from a specific reality, Ukraine 5.6 has universal resonance. The film explores how the survivors cope with the effects of war and how they find the strength to rebuild their lives. I have collected chilling testimonies of survivors, interviewed experts, and filmed communal initiatives to rebuild. I hope Ukraine 5.6 can provide the audience an opportunity to reflect on the human cost of war and be inspired by the positive examples shown to overcome the biggest scourge of mankind. Ukraine 5.6 is above all a film about and for humanity.
FAQ
What does 5.6 in the title mean?
5.6 is a lens aperture, considered to be the one that yields the sharpest rendition of the subject.