Stop-Zemlia

Kateryna Gornostai, an aspiring director with solid documentary background, presents a delicate insight into the emotional life of high-schoolers. All her teenage actors had been picked through in-depth interviews and underwent a two-months-long series of workshops before they were finally approved as their characters. This helps us understand the nature of the movie, not much of a drama, but a careful character study employing the documentary toolset, combined with incredible camera work, organic acting, and meticulous editing to create an immersive and believable picture. I was deeply moved by Gornostai's delicate and loving manner of dealing with teenage insecurity, which I wish I could have experienced myself as a 16-year-old.

I was amazed by the beautiful shots. This movie shows the life of an average Ukrainian teenager in a realistic way. It doesn't have a specific plot, but it's all about enjoyment and living in the moment. I also loved all the metaphors used in the movie. Truly one of a kind.

The film is not really only about teenagers self-discovering themselves together or isolated from each other, but also about the political situation that is lurking behind the scenes. Since 2014, Ukraine has been under the attack of dictator Russia which is why talking about this evil shadow is inevitable in a Ukrainian film. You might be surprised but even long before that, Ukraine has been under the invasion of Russia every few decades for centuries. As a result, Kateryna is determined to portray the effects of the previous Russian invasion through their school education. The medical and shooting training of these teenagers in high school becomes the precursor of Russia's war against Ukraine in 2022. Director utilizes a few documentary cameras and plot styles to let the audience into the story of Masha and her friends. In that way, this becomes a great example of a realistic indie film and a portrait of the Ukrainian youth.

It's really wonderful film. I have felt the extraordinary familiar and, although not always, pleasant atmosphere. Pretty and live heroes, wool clothes, impressive music, great scenes and professional work... I fall in live <3 Thanks to all the team that worked at this. I want to buy the cup with logo or the picture from the dude's room in a hat (where the plane is).

I heard a lot of bad reviews about this movie, and went to another city to watch it.

What can I say - people who said it's boring forgot their adolescence.

If I could give it mark, it would be 11/10, bc they were real children (teenagers actually) with real problems of our society, and most of times they just stay silent - and you feel their emotions through screen.

Characters are not good or bad here - they are alive.

And this movie touched my soul - like emotional tornado - and that's what is mean to be teenager.