Soldiers of Song

I watched this film in Kyiv alongside local Ukrainians and it was the most powerful, emotional, compelling bit of storytelling I have seen during the entire war. We did not have enough tissues to dry our tears. I live in Ukraine and there were many narratives even I had not heard before. The film gives many storylines that will make it worth your while to go see this movie. I know many of the people in the film and they all are incredibly proud to have their stories told in such a beautiful cinematic masterpiece.

If you want to know the real story of life in Ukraine following the full-scale invasion, watch this incredible film!

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.

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.

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.

Soldiers of Song" left a deep impact on me. It's more than just a documentary-it's an emotional, beautifully told story of courage, unity, and the power of music. Watching these musicians turn their art into a force for hope and resistance was incredibly satisfying. What moved me most about "Soldiers of Song" is how powerfully it shows that music truly is a universal language. Even if you do not understand every lyric, you will feel every emotion-pain, hope, defiance, and unity. The way these musicians use their art to connect with people across borders and beliefs is nothing short of incredible. In the middle of conflict and chaos, their voices break through barriers and remind us that music speaks to the soul when words fall short.