Soldiers of Song

"Soldiers of Song" presents an intimate story of the war shown through life trajectories of Ukrainian people related to the music - from established "stars" investing their visibility to garner international support to aspiring talents whose professional development was aborted by the full-scale invasion, or - rather - they suspended it in favour of serving to the people or fighting on the battlefield. It is a very humane movie full of pain and suffering but also full of light and hope. It poses important questions on the fragility of civilization and the importance of art for humankind. Through its evocative power, it helps the audience to emotionally connect with the realities on the ground but also to see broader repercussions of this brutal war. Delicate and genuine, it is a must-see for those seeking beyond national interests and geopolitical calculations to ponder over our shared human condition and the universal meaning of Ukraine's fight.

Soldiers of Song Film takes you on an intricate journey through some of the darkest days of the war while tieing together the stories of opera singers, chamber conductors and Ukrainian stars like Sviatoslav Vakarchuk of Okean Elzy, Svitlana Tarabarova and Andriy Hlyvniuk of Boombox. This documentary by Ryan Smith beautifully demonstrates the resilience of Ukraine and Her people but also highlights the enduring power of music in times of war.

Soldiers of Song captured the deep connection of culture and song for us as Ukrainians and I think it shows the true essence of the unwavering Ukrainian spirit and why even in the darkest hour, in times of pain and destruction... we turn to music... because of its ability to heal.

If Soldiers of Song is playing in your city, tell your Ukrainian friends but more importantly, tell your non-Ukrainian friends because the power of music knows no bounds and does not require translation. Make sure you bring your tissues and let the spirit of Ukraine, those fighting and the music take you on a journey of heartache, resilience and hope.

I have watched this documentary in Seattle SIFF Central.

This movie consists of the personal stories of the people who were musicians and faced Russian invasion of Ukraine of 2014 and then again 2022. The stories are powerful and authentic that really captivating.

Generally I believe documentaries are underestimated genre: there is far different feeling when you cannot convince yourself that it is not blood, it is just ketchup.

What is also amazing that there are similarities and similar righteous behavior made by a broad variety of the artists: famous and not, pop, rock, classical and folk.

I also amazed how good Metallica's music was adopted in the documentary.

As I watched "Soldiers of Song", I found myself in tears throughout the entire film. This documentary touched my heart in ways I can't fully express. It beautifully captures the struggle and resilience of Ukrainians in the face of unimaginable loss. The musicians featured in the film use their art to bring hope to a nation torn apart by war, and their stories resonate with the pain we all share.

This documentary is a powerful testament to the strength of Ukrainian culture and the unifying force of music. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the devastating impact of war on our lives.

This is more than a documentary. Each story conveys the unbreakable Ukrainian spirit, resilience, and desire for peace.

This film also tells the story of musicians during a full-scale invasion, who demonstrate perseverance and also show the power of music during war.

Thank you to director Ryan Smith who conveyed so many painfully important stories and moments. There are countless stories like these in Ukraine during this time. Thank you for shining a spotlight on a a few so that the word could not only see the truth but hear the truth. Music is a power weapon indeed.

No one wants peace more than Ukraine, and hopefully through more documentaries like this one, our message will be heard around the world.