Reflection

Directed by Valentyn Vasyanovych
Film Movement
2021
125 Minutes
Ukraine
Ukrainian, Russian
Drama
Not Rated

In 2014, Ukrainian surgeon Serhiy enlists to fight Russian military forces in the Donbass region, where he is captured by enemy soldiers. Now a prisoner of war, Serhiy is forced to witness horrifying scenes of humiliation and violence at the hands of the Russian invaders, his medical background co-opted to dispense mercy killings to the tortured. After his release, he returns to his comfortable middle-class apartment, still suffering from the trauma of his experiences. Looking inward, Serhiy tries to find a purpose in life by rebuilding his relationship with his daughter and ex-wife, learning how to be a human being again through being a father. Written, directed, produced, shot, and edited by acclaimed Ukrainian filmmaker Valentyn Vasyanovych, REFLECTION is a meticulously-composed depiction of pain - and redemption - that Variety called "one of the most intellectually provocative and rewarding films" of the 2021 Venice Film Festival.

Director & Cast

  • Director: Valentyn Vasyanovych
  • Starring: Roman Lutskyi
  • Starring: Andriy Rymaruk
  • Starring: Stanislav Aseyev
  • Starring: Oleksandr Danyliuk

Trailer

Photos

Reviews

  • "A compelling statement on the horrors of armed conflict, specifically here the early days of the still-ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War."
    Jessica Kiang, Variety
  • "Critic's Pick! It would be a bracing, haunting work even if it weren’t so timely. "
    Ben Kenigsberg, The New York Times
  • "There are no easy answers in this thought-provoking film from Vasyanovych: another dark and disturbing watch with tiny glimmers of beauty."
    Anna Smith, Deadline Hollywood
  • "A remarkable work from a remarkable director who is perhaps still weighing up the demands of uncompromising rigour and those of accessibility."
    Jonathan Romney, Screen Daily
  • "There is a deeper, more nuanced story worked through here about betrayal and redemption, mercy and survival, all played out with great restraint thanks to Lutskiy’s subtle performance. "
    Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter
  • "A profound meditation on war, fate and belief."
    John Bleasdale, Dirty Movies
  • "A painful observation of a nation’s suffering through the microcosm of a singular protagonist. Vasyanovych has an ability goad us into disturbing but necessary contemplation past the final credits of a grueling, beautifully shot film."
    Nicholas Bell, Ion Cinema
  • "Mark my words: Vasyanovych is the real deal. His almost surrealist formalist approach to filmmaking is akin to the works of Swedish master Roy Andersson, sans humor, combined with the gravitas and emotional punch of Andrey Zvyagintsev. Reflection... is a truly impactful and impressive film."
    Dustin Chang, Screen Anarchy
  • "A poignant and poetic film."
    Noel Murray, Los Angeles Times