What happens to everyday life when war becomes part of it? In MILITANTROPOS, three filmmakers turn their cameras towards people living through Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Children play, families seek safety, fields are cultivated, and familiar routines continue under unfamiliar circumstances. Some leave their homes, others stay, each finding their own way to navigate a world transformed by violence.
The title refers to a state of being shaped by prolonged exposure to war. Rather than following a single story or explaining the conflict through political events, directors Alina Gorlova, Simon Mozgovyi and Yelizaveta Smith assemble intimate observations into a quiet yet unsettling portrait of human resilience and vulnerability. Through carefully composed images and an evocative soundscape, the documentary captures moments of fear, tenderness, humour and connection. Premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, MILITANTROPOS invites us to look beyond the headlines and consider how life continues when nothing can be taken for granted.