‘2000 Meters to Andriivka’: Sundance Review

Dir: Mstyslav Chernov. Ukraine. 2025. 107mins

A distance of 2000m doesn’t sound like lots. It may be pushed in two minutes, run in ten and, if battle is in your thoughts, a mortar can cross it in simply 35 seconds. But that sense of proximity, like a lot in Mstyslav Chernov’s sobering documentary, is proven to be misleading when the Russians occupying the village of Andriivka are armed to the tooth and a Ukrainian battalion is making gradual progress – and sustaining heavy losses – whereas attempting to mount an offensive. Chernov propels us straight to the frontline because the troops have interaction in brutal and lethal skirmishes in a greater than three-month bid to liberate the territory.  

 A fearless piece of filmmaking within the face of hazard

As along with his earlier Oscar-winner 20 Days In Mariupol, it is a fearless piece of filmmaking within the face of hazard as Chernov, who acts as his personal cinematographer with further assist from Alex Babenko, ventures into the sharp finish of the battle with troopers from the third Assault Brigade. 2000 Meters To Andriivka will, like 20 Days In Mariupol, be launched by Frontline PBS within the US, and its well timed nature and Chernov’s established repute for reportage means different territories are more likely to comply with swimsuit.

It’s September 2023 and Ukraine has begun a counteroffensive close to Bakhmut, within the east of the nation, the place Andriivka has strategic significance. The brigade is tasked with bringing a flag to a unit sergeant, Fedya, who will fly it in Andriivka to indicate the battle is received. The one manner for troops to strategy the village is through a strip of forest, which itself is emblematic of the state of the battle. The phrase ‘forest’ suggests a inexperienced haven, nevertheless this slim and sketchy strip of stricken bushes is something however. Trunks stripped of branches and leaves are all that’s left because the troops scramble over bracken and conceal in foxholes, whereas dodging grenades, suicide drones and shelling. Andriivka can also be a bombed-out shadow of its former self, razed by the Russians. “It’s like touchdown on a planet the place every thing is attempting to kill you,” we’re instructed.  

The movie is visceral and immersive because it follows troops who fireplace expletives as shortly as bullets as they attempt to make progress. Chernov’s footage is expertly edited by Michelle Mizner and blended with photographs shot by the troops through their helmet cameras, which nearly offers parts of the movie the texture of a first-person shoot ‘em up – however that is no sport and lives are being misplaced endlessly. In some of the horrifying moments we’re plunged inside an armoured medevac ambulance because it will get caught within the mud earlier than following the troops as they attempt to make it to security on foot. Sam Slater’s rumbling rating provides to the bleakness, occasional vocalisations rising from its electro and percussive coronary heart like a lament.

Periodic bursts of stories experiences clue us in to the state of the counteroffensive, which isn’t going effectively, though no political framework is added; Chernov’s movie is all concerning the speedy bodily actuality of battle, not what’s being stated about it. As along with his earlier movie, the director additionally affords sporadic sombre narration, usually specializing in a person soldier’s life story within the movie’s quieter moments. A few of these younger males show to be the masters of understatement: “It’s just a little bit chaotic right here,” one notes. Others focus on the virtues of roll-up cigarettes or speak of starting from scratch in locations like Andriivka to construct a greater nation.

Having realized about these males, we’re continuously instructed they are going to die in battle within the coming months. In such shut proximity to their life tales and philosophies, the loss feels much more acute. Later the movie pulls again from the thick of battle to indicate the equally intense combat these at house are waging with grief, the ambient sound reduce away as we watch crowds dominated by ladies and youngsters laying their family members to relaxation. 

Chernov brings house the sense of violent stalemate in order that, even when Andriivka appears inside attain, peace nonetheless feels a good distance off. Contemplating the battle, he says, “The longer it goes on, the much less the world will care about it.” He’s definitely doing every thing he can to verify we hold paying consideration.