‘To Die to Live’, a documentary directed by Yuliia Hontaruk, premiered recently at the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF). The film chronicles the experiences of three Ukrainian volunteers over a span of 12 years, highlighting their journey from the frontlines in 2014 to confronting the ongoing war in 2022.
Exploring the Impact of War on Lives
The documentary follows the lives of Shakhta, Dancer, and Potter, who volunteered to fight in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. It delves into their traumatic experiences during two years of combat and their struggles to reintegrate into civilian life after the initial conflict. However, the renewed Russian invasion in 2022 forces them to face their past once again.
According to Hontaruk, “Twelve years ago, I followed three young Ukrainian volunteers to the frontline. I thought I was making a film about war. I was wrong.” This statement reflects her realization that the film became more than just a war documentary; it transformed into a narrative about personal evolution and resilience.
A Journey Beyond Conflict
As the film unfolds, it reveals the profound psychological scars left by the war. Hontaruk emphasizes that the documentary is not merely about the violence of war but about how individuals cope with its aftermath. She states, “This is not really a film about war. It is about what war leaves inside people, and what they do with it.”
