Ukrainian filmmaker and journalist Mstyslav Chernov has made his return to the Sundance Film Festival with his latest work, following the success of 20 Days in Mariupol, which captivated audiences at Sundance in 2023 and subsequently earned the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. His new documentary, titled 2000 Meters to Andriivka, has garnered him the Directing Award. This instalment is equally intense and challenging to view, immersing the audience in a first-person account of Ukrainian soldiers as they cautiously advance towards a village to liberate it from Russian control.

The premise

In "2000 Meters to Andriivka," viewers are immersed in the grim realities faced by soldiers as they strategize their next moves within concealed trenches, captured through helmet camera footage. Accompanied by journalist Alex Babenko, Chernov documents the soldiers as they receive orders, take cover, and devise their plans amidst the relentless backdrop of explosions. Chernov's detached and straightforward narration guides the audience through their journey. The village of Andriivka, Ukraine, is situated in a perilous area, surrounded by mines and accessible only via a narrow strip of land.

The objective? The soldiers aim to raise the Ukrainian flag, a symbolic act of asserting dominance during this treacherous mission, where each step could lead to disaster. While it may seem absurd from an outsider's perspective, the harsh realities of war dictate that they must achieve this task. “So what are we fighting for?” Chernov inquires. “To rebuild it,” replies a soldier. Without a purpose, escape becomes impossible; they find themselves with no alternative.

What works

Deeply disturbing and strikingly visceral, 2000 Meters to Andriivka delivers an unvarnished depiction of the horrors of war. The commonplace nature of this mission serves as an underlying theme that Chernov intentionally opts not to highlight. In reality, it is superfluous to elaborate, as the lives of these valiant soldiers are at risk for the sake of this endeavour, which at times seems both shocking and unbelievable. During a moment of concealment, while they plan their next operation, Chernov questions several young men about their journeys to becoming soldiers. Their replies are characterized by straightforward optimism. Subsequently, with a profound existential melancholy, the voiceover reveals that one of these soldiers will be lost in the forthcoming mission. 

The increasing sense of monotony felt by the soldiers as they advance toward Andriivka provides this documentary with its crucial emotional depth. Chernov's commitment to exposing the stark, unvarnished truth is commendable. The imagery and sounds leave a lasting impression on the audience. However, I found myself wary of some of the additional music by Sam Slater that frequently accompanies the visuals. It often elicits a specific emotional reaction that could have been tempered.

2000 Meters to Andriivka presents a poignant and profoundly humane portrayal of the devastation and brutality of war. There is no silver lining to the fates of some of these men; it is simply unattainable. Chernov shares what he witnesses and what he understands to be true, urging us to confront it as well.

Santanu Das is covering the Sundance Film Festival 2025 as part of the accredited press.

Read Also: Coffee with a Killer Review: RP Patnaik's Film Has an Intriguing Concept but is Overlong

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!