Shidniy front

Eastern Front

Kyiv, August 24, 2022, Ukraine’s Independence Day. A burnt-out tank on a deserted street. Half a year has passed since the whole world became aware of Russia’s attack. It actually began in 2014, but many did not perceive it as such at the time. This is also explained by the voice in the commentary that belongs to Vitaly Mansky. The other director, Yevhen Titarenko, captures an insider’s images which reveal precisely what (this) war means. He has been with the “Hospitallers” volunteer medical battalion since 2014 and is now on full duty. At times disturbingly raw and direct, yet always enlightening, this film shows in close-up how a nation is fighting for its survival. (Berlinale)

Director's Filmography (Selection)
Shidniy front (Eastern Front, 2023) - Evacuaciya (Evacuation, 2020, mid-length doc, Titarenko) Gorbachev. Heaven (2020, doc, Mansky; CE'21) - Svideteli Putina (Putin's Witnesses, 2018, doc, Mansky; CE'19) - Dnipro - forpost Ukrainy (Dnipro - Outpost of Ukraine, doc, Titarenko) - Rodnye (Close Relations, 2016, doc, Mansky, CE'17 - Social Awareness Award - Best Documentary) - Nasha rodina (Gagarin’s Pioneers, 2005, doc, Mansky) - Evreyskoe schaste (Jewish Happiness, 1991, Mansky)
Eröffnungsfilme | Opening Films · European Panorama Documentary 2023
Vitaly Mansky, Yevhen Titarenko
Latvia / Ukraine / Czech Republic / USA 2023
color
98 minutes
Ukrainian / Russian
OV with English subtitles
Screenplay Vitaly Mansky
Cinematography Yevhen Titarenko, Ivan Fomichenko
Editing Andrey Paperny
Sound/Sounddesign Václav Flegl
Producer(s) Natalia Manskaia, Natalia Khazan
Production
Vertov, Braha Production Company, Hypermarket Film, Current Time TV
World Sales
Deckert Distribution
Austrian Premiere
World Premiere
Berlinale 2023

Trigger Warnung: War, Violence, Death