Another world premiere in the Special Screenings section took audiences to Ukraine. Director Yuliia Hontaruk’s documentary To Die to Live follows three men – known by their nicknames Shakhta, Dancer and Potter – who volunteered for the army in 2014 to fight in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict in eastern Ukraine. Although the horrible things they experienced during two years on the front accompany them for every second of their existence, they try to return to civilian life, only to be confronted with war once again after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
All three protagonists travelled to Karlovy Vary for the screening and took part in a post-screening discussion, which began only after a prolonged standing ovation. “When war broke out in eastern Ukraine in 2014, many Ukrainians did not see it as their war – as a war against the whole of Ukraine. They regarded it with a certain indifference, and it was precisely that indifference that allowed the war to spread. We all know the saying that evil triumphs when good people do nothing. Today, the free world is repeating the same mistake. It sees the war in Ukraine as someone else’s war, not its own,” said the protagonist known as Shakhta. “Right-wing movements are gaining ground across the world. Politicians tell people that their nation is superior to others. They are fuelling hatred between nations, and hatred is the most primitive of human emotions,” he continued. “The free world has reached the point where it will have to defend its own homes by force. Right now, Ukraine stands in Russia’s way. We have taken on this burden so that beautiful festivals like this one can continue to exist. So that you can be safe. All we ask for is your support instead of your indifference,” concluded one of the protagonists and his remarks were met with another round of sustained applause.
His fellow protagonist, Dancer, followed with a message for Russian civilians who wish to help Ukraine: “In Russia, we have a volunteer unit you can join. If you do not want to fight, you can protest or send us the locations of Russian military bases.” He also offered his thoughts on raising children in such difficult times. “The most important thing in life is to experience and give as much love as possible. Be honest, decent and courageous. Your children will see it, and they will follow your example.”
