How "civilians" became warriors: Ukrainians will be shown the documentary "Amateurs" about the fighters of the TrO

On February 23, Ukraine will host the premiere of the documentary film "Amateurs" about the fighters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Territorial Defense Forces who, after the full-scale invasion, left their usual occupation and took up arms to defend their homeland from Russian aggressors. The film is the result of hundreds of interviews with civilians who joined the TRO after February 24. Among them are star warriors, including cinematographer Akhtem Seitablaev, host Daniel Salem, actor Oleksandr Pecherytsia and others.

As we have learned, the producers of "Amateurs" are Volodymyr Borodyansky (Association of Ukrainian Producers, UUP) and Ilona Schneider. As we have already mentioned, the premiere will take place on February 23 at 22:00 on STB TV channel and on February 24 on NV platform.

Viewers are invited to watch the full-scale terrorist war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine through the eyes of the ATO soldiers.

"From the first decision to take up arms to battles, deaths, optimism, strength, pain and tenderness. You will see how step by step the "peaceful" became Warriors... The filmmakers deliberately did not choose the heroes based on their participation in famous battles and defining events of the war. A hero is anyone who dared to take up arms in the days when the fate of the Ukrainian nation was decided. Within the framework of the chosen minimalist strategy (there is nothing but live speech in the film), the event is the person himself, his undisguised emotions, frank stories about doubts and choices of the first days," the documentary's representative shared.

One of the film's authors, Maksym Kurochkin, explained that the team wanted to show "not the current professionals, but the amateurs of the time."

"Time passes and many precious details are lost, this is how human memory works. The heroes "outgrow" themselves, they are no longer "amateurs" but experienced warriors. But we are convinced that it is important for history to preserve the uncensored version of events... By recalling their journey, they bring us closer to understanding the nature of invincibility. We wanted the camera to stare at every Ukrainian defender as if they were a Hollywood star. After all, few Hollywood stars can boast of such adventures and difficult internal choices that our heroes have had. Our people are beautiful people. It is our duty to make the world love them as much as we love them," said Kurochkin.

The film crew tried to "reconstruct" the unique state of Ukrainian society in the winter and spring of 2022. It will remind the Ukrainian audience of "the moment of national effective unity." The authors of The Amateurs did not edit the way the characters wanted to see themselves, did not dictate to them what clothes they should wear or what language they should speak.

The producer of The Amateurs also noted: "I think the true value of the film will be revealed in the future, when the events of these years fade into the background. We managed to capture a lively and significant moment of the era. The shooting took place in late 2022 and early 2023. This was a time when Ukrainian society was in a state of mobilization of all its forces, when regular missile attacks and blackouts were combined with a sense of preserved Ukrainian statehood. In addition to capturing a historical moment, the film can become a source of support and strength for the viewer in moments of important life choices."

The creative team filmed a huge amount of material. Only a small part of it was included in the movie. The producers plan to hand over the entire array to the Institute of National Memory, and it will become the basis for future filmmakers' work and material for historians.