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War's Scars: Resilience and Art in Ukraine's Conflict
7 May
Summary
- Film documents war's toll through veterans, refugee, and artists.
- Filmmakers sought unexpected heroism in soldiers rebuilding lives.
- Documentary premieres at Poland's Millennium Docs Against Gravity.
The documentary film "Bodies (of War)" offers a profound look at lives irrevocably altered by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Directed by Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert, the film premieres at Poland's Millennium Docs Against Gravity festival on May 8, 2026.
"Bodies (of War)" centers on diverse individuals, including veterans undergoing physical and psychological rehabilitation in Lviv and a transgender refugee in Warsaw finding solace through art and dance. The narrative also features the Open Group art collective, who use their practice to process the war's trauma.
Production began in Lviv, documenting wounded soldiers' resilience, which the filmmakers described as an unexpected heroism. As the frontlines became too perilous, the crew relocated to Warsaw to capture new perspectives, including artist Dana Vitkovska's journey.
The film intersperses personal stories with archival footage, creating a reflective piece on the war's cost and its aftermath. Szumowska noted the film's challenging production, emphasizing its eventual cohesive strength, rooted in the body and physical experience, a theme consistent with their previous works.
