Ukraine, 2024. As Russian forces close in on the Donbas mining town of Hirnyk, its residents face a heartbreaking decision: to leave their homes or remain despite the constant threat of the shelling. Volunteer evacuation teams repeatedly enter the increasingly dangerous frontline zone to persuade and transport civilians to safety, often encountering people unwilling or unable to leave. Some stay to care for relatives, others refuse to abandon their homes, while some simply cannot imagine a life elsewhere. Shot mostly with a helmet-mounted camera, with its saccadic movements creating a distinctive rhythm and a palpable sense of urgency, the film follows the volunteers as they negotiate the hard choices. The result is both an intense and intimate portrait of civilians caught between attachment to their homes and the need to survive.
CinEast is honoured to present the film’s international premiere.