The full-scale war that began in 2022 has not only affected the lives of millions of Ukrainians, but also profoundly changed the nation’s culture—especially cinema. Ukrainian filmmaking is experiencing a difficult yet significant transformation. Instead of fantasy plots—there’s documentary realism; instead of fictional heroes—real soldiers, volunteers, and medics. The screen has become a space of memory, resistance, and hope, reports Baltimore Chronicle.
New Themes Emerging in Films During the War
Before 2022, Ukrainian cinema increasingly turned to historical and patriotic themes, but with the outbreak of full-scale war, these topics became foundational.
The most popular storylines:
- Stories of soldiers and defenders of the Armed Forces
- Civilian life under shelling
- Evacuation, loss of home, life in exile
- Volunteer movements and medical aid
- Military brotherhood and frontline tragedies
Films became a direct response to the pain the country is enduring. Through the screen, directors not only document events but help viewers process and reflect on the war.
How Genre and Style Have Changed in Ukrainian Films
It’s not just themes that have shifted—style has as well. The aesthetics of Ukrainian cinema have become more restrained, realistic, sometimes even austere. Visual effects have made way for raw emotion and truth.
Key changes include:
- A rise in documentary filmmaking
- Use of real footage from drones, phones, GoPros
- Minimal sets and staging—maximum raw imagery
- Music is often replaced by silence
- Handheld camera work for a feeling of presence
Film no longer just tells stories—it immerses the viewer in the reality of war.
New-Time Heroes: Who Takes the Lead in Modern Films
Heroes of the 2023–2025 era are not fictional characters, but people we recognize from the news or meet on the street.
Common characters in today’s Ukrainian films:
- The soldier — not a fearless superhero, but tired and determined
- The medic — saving lives in basements, under fire
- The volunteer — evacuating children and animals from occupied zones
- The journalist — documenting truth on the frontlines
- Father, mother, child — who’ve lost everything, but continue
All of them are new symbols of national strength, humanity, and pain.
The War’s Impact on Film Production
Beyond content, the war has changed the industry itself. Many sets have been destroyed, projects halted or postponed.
Main challenges:
- No safe filming locations
- Actors joining the military
- Financial difficulties
- Reduced crew sizes
- Emigration of filmmakers abroad
Still, Ukrainian cinema has not disappeared—it has grown stronger and bolder.
Ukrainian Cinema in the World: New Opportunities
After 2022, Ukrainian films began gaining significant attention at international festivals. Cinema became a form of cultural diplomacy.
Achievements so far:
- Documentaries about the war winning awards at Cannes, Berlin
- Netflix, HBO, Arte buying rights to Ukrainian productions
- Viewers in Europe and the U.S. learning about the war through films
- Ukrainian directors speaking at global forums
Thus, cinema not only tells of tragedy—it shapes Ukraine’s image as a strong and dignified nation.
The war has not destroyed Ukrainian cinema—it has transformed it. Instead of escapism, films now face reality head-on. New Ukrainian cinema is the voice of a generation that has endured invasion. It documents, inspires, explains. And most importantly—it helps us remember who we are and what we are fighting for.
Earlier we wrote about how Ukrainian traditions are becoming trendy among youth.