Hostages of war

Feature-Length Documentary Film, 2024, Post-Production 70 minutes
On February 24, a full-scale war began in Ukraine. Not only people, but animals also became hostages of this war. In peaceful times, they could be cared for, but during shelling, airstrikes, and the occupation by enemy forces, rescuing animals was nearly impossible. People fled their homes in panic, locking their pets inside apartments. Shelters were left without communication, electricity, and water. Animals died from hunger, thirst, shrapnel, bullet wounds, and even heart attacks during explosions. However, even in wartime, there are those who managed to save defenseless four-legged beings: shelter workers who lived with their charges for more than a month under Russian occupation, volunteers who rescued half-dead dogs abandoned to certain death, and caring individuals who, despite street battles and mined buildings, have been saving animals from the very first days of the war and continue to do so.
This film shows how war destroys everything in its path, but thanks to the heroic deeds of people—who don’t consider themselves heroes—they defy death and give animals a chance at a new life.

Markets, Labs, and Forums:
Dox of War – ZagrebDox 2023
JumpGate – DocLisboa
Producers Network – Marche du Film (Cannes International Film Festival)

Funding:
Ukrainian Cultural Foundation
House of Europe
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