Filmed over two months in southern Ukraine, this critically acclaimed observational film shadows seven special forces soldiers as they fight on the frontline in an attempt to retake their home city of Kherson. Led by a seasoned army veteran known only as “Hummer”, what’s remarkable about the unit is not so much what they’re doing, but who they are - mostly complete rookies with no military experience, and united by a seemingly unshakable determination to win.

But working with inexperienced soldiers who are not used to obeying orders tests both Hummer’s patience and his abilities. And the pressure only intensifies when he learns that one of the new, novice soldiers joining the fight is his own young brother.

PRESS

“Dazzling, intimate documentary-making. …  Few could tell this story better than Lambert.  He made it feel as if we were there with them, feeling the mortar shells shake the ground.”  Carol Midgley, The Times

“Lambert’s film was a superb, on-the-ground portrait of a nation refusing to give in.”  Anita Singh, The Telegraph 5*

“Olly Lambert delivers a visceral, close-up view of modern warfare.”  The Times

“The minutiae of guerrilla combat are fascinating – the combination of cannons and drones, the ad-hoc application of 3D-printed nosecones to ancient Soviet munitions – but the personnel lift this into the extraordinary. An inspiring, persuasive first draft of history that continues to be written.” The Telegraph

“Armed with the right weaponry [Ukrainian volunteers] can be as deadly a force as any professional. This is where Lambert’s film comes into its own. You can hear any amount of pleas from Ukraine’s president for more and bigger weapons from Nato, but it is seeing the situation on the ground that truly brings the point home. Essential viewing for anyone who wants to know how the war might proceed from here.”  The Herald

“A startling documentary.” The Guardian

“If you wanted a film-maker to tell this story and capture its human context, you would struggle to find anyone better than Olly Lambert.”  Radio Times

CREDITS

Filmed, Produced & Directed by Olly Lambert

Film Editor: TOM DIXON-SPAIN

Producer (Ukraine): VOLODYMYR SUBOTOVSKYI

Composer: MAT DAVIDSON

Producer: JACK LOSH

Graphics: tomorrowisclosed

Colourist: FRED BAILLOD

Online editor: JOSH CORDELL

Dubbing Mixer: KARL MAINZER

Translators: DARYNA BATISCHEVA, JULIA DOBROVOLSKA, DOBRYNIA IVANOV, VIKTORIIA KHRUSLOVA, OLENA PYSARENKO, SVITLANA PERMINOVA

Production Coordinator: FAYE PATTON

Production Manager: RACHEL MARTINEZ

High Risk Advisor: MIKE WRIGHT

Commissioning Editor: JOANNA CARR

Executive Producer: MIKE RADFORD