2000 Meters to Andriivka

In peacetime, two kilometers is an insignificant distance. But in the strategic battle for a small village in eastern Ukraine, every meter counts. Oscar-winning director Mstyslav Chernov is once again redefining the boundaries of war documentary filmmaking. From the front lines, he captures the bitter aftertaste of a Pyrrhic victory, as statistics give way to human stories. And with every step forward, the doubt grows as to whether this war will ever truly end.

The small village of Andriivka on the outskirts of occupied Bakhmut is merely a dot on the map—and at the same time a symbol of the entire front line. The only path to it leads through a narrow, mine-strewn forest full of trenches that resemble graves. The unit’s mission is to advance two kilometers and reclaim what remains of their land. Director Mstyslav Chernov steps right into the front lines. Using authentic footage and cameras mounted on soldiers’ helmets, he creates a portrait of a war that is not just playing out on a map. Death is ever-present, progress is slow, and the cost is immeasurable. The film is a testimony to what “one kilometre” means in modern warfare. To the blood paid for it. And to a world that, in the meantime, watches the numbers on the screens.