"Mstyslav Chernov's gut-wrenching, Oscar-winning documentary, '20 Days in Mariupol,' captivated viewers with its poignant portrayal of the initial siege of the Ukrainian port city during Russia's full-scale invasion. Now, a new documentary titled 'Real,' premiering at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, offers a visceral glimpse into the Ukraine war from the soldier's perspective.
'Real' opens abruptly, without preamble or forewarning. We are thrust into the chaos of a foxhole, hearing the urgent voice of a soldier crackling over the radio from another trench. The Ukrainian forces are under siege by Russian troops, desperately pleading for reinforcements. The voice we hear — that of director Oleh Sentsov, alias "Grunt" — frantically coordinates the evacuation of troops under fire and the replenishment of his unit's dwindling ammunition. The Russian forces, referred to crudely over the radio, are closing in for the kill.
This pulse-pounding, uninterrupted one-hour-and-thirty-minute footage captures the intense moments of battle, as Sentsov continuously communicates between units and headquarters, rallying his troops in a race against time. We are immersed in the conflict through Sentsov's eyes, courtesy of a GoPro camera affixed to his helmet.
Sentsov, an award-winning filmmaker behind 'Gamer' (2011), 'Numbers' (2020), and 'Rhino' (2021), joined the Ukrainian Defense Forces shortly after Russia's invasion in February 2022. For nearly a decade, he has utilized his camera as a weapon against Russia. In 2014, he was arrested by Russian forces in Crimea for protesting Moscow's annexation of the region and was imprisoned for 20 years on charges of terrorism. After five long years in a Russian prison, a coordinated effort by the European Film Academy, Amnesty International, and the European Parliament, supported by luminaries like Ken Loach, Pedro Almodóvar, and Agnieszka Holland, finally secured his release on September 7, 2019, as part of a prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia.
The events depicted in 'Real' unfolded during the summer of 2023, as Sentsov's unit participated in a Ukrainian counter-offensive aimed at breaking through the Russian frontline and pushing their forces eastward, out of the country. Unfortunately, the offensive was unsuccessful.
The film's title is derived from the codename of the operation. Produced by Arthouse Traffic and Cry Cinema in Ukraine, with coproducers Propeler Film in Croatia and Downey Ink in the UK, 'Real' is a testament to the bravery and resilience of Ukraine's soldiers, brought to life by the unwavering vision of Oleh Sentsov."
