Tallinn Film Festival Highlights Ukrainian Resilience Through Cinema
The PÖFF festival showcases nine films documenting the human impact of the ongoing war.
1Festival Solidarity Initiative
The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, known as PÖFF, continues its commitment to Ukraine during its 30th anniversary edition. Since the 2022 invasion, the festival has integrated Ukrainian films and industry panels into its program. CEO Tiina Lokk emphasizes that maintaining cultural visibility remains a vital act of democratic support.
2Music as Cultural Resistance
The film Slava documents the journey of Sviatoslav Vakarchuk, lead singer of the band Okean Elzy. After performing for troops, he launched a global tour to boost refugee morale. The documentary highlights how Ukrainian music serves as a unique cultural identity that Russia has attempted to eradicate for several centuries.
3Psychological Warfare in Occupation
Director Rostislav Kirpicenko explores the brutal reality of life in occupied southeastern Ukraine in the film Vesna. The narrative follows a priest who secretly returns bodies to families, defying a ban on burials. This drama captures the emotional toll and the impossible choices faced by civilians under constant military pressure.
4Identity Amidst Geopolitical Shifts
I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming examines the intersection of war and personal identity. The film follows a queer couple whose relationship is tested by Russia's invasion and a gender transition. It explores how national and personal struggles collide, forcing characters to navigate new realities while seeking to maintain their authentic selves.
5Documenting Long-term War Trauma
Yuliia Hontaruk’s documentary To Die to Live tracks three men over twelve years. Initially volunteers in 2014, they struggled to reintegrate into civilian life before returning to the front lines in 2022. The film uses a fragmented structure to mirror the lasting psychological and physical trauma inflicted by the ongoing conflict.
6Refugee Experiences and Displacement
The drama Wings, directed by Ana Rocha de Sousa, explores the challenges of finding peace after fleeing a war zone. Inspired by a real-life Ukrainian family in Portugal, the film investigates whether trauma can truly be left behind. It offers a deep dive into the difficult path toward finding hope after displacement.
7Frontline Medical Aid Missions
Lithuanian director Nerijus Milerius presents Living On, a documentary filmed during his volunteer missions delivering medical aid to Ukraine. Between August 2024 and June 2026, he documented daily life under bombardment in cities like Kyiv and Kharkiv. The film serves as a testament to Ukrainian resilience and the spirit of survival.
8Historical Context of Violence
The political thriller Slava, directed by Denis Sobolev, examines a 1960s KGB assassination case. It highlights how activists once warned Europe about Moscow exporting political violence. By connecting historical events to current geopolitical tensions, the film underscores the long-standing nature of the conflict and the Kremlin's history of targeting political opponents.
9Collective Trauma and Advocacy
The documentary Traces features six women who survived sexual violence during the war. As Ukraine’s Oscar submission, it documents testimonies collected by activist Iryna Dovhan. The film provides a portrait of collective trauma while creating a necessary space for hope, emphasizing the importance of speaking out against war-related human rights abuses.