War Veteran Oleh Sentsov Prepares First Fiction Film in Years

Ukrainian director Oleh Sentsov, a former political prisoner and current combat battalion commander, is entering pre-production for his first fiction feature film in five years, titled Kai. This project marks his return to narrative filmmaking since his 2021 drama, Rhino.

Filming for Kai is scheduled to take place in Ukraine during the first half of 2027. The production boasts an international collaboration, uniting producers from Ukraine, Poland, Germany, France, and the Czech Republic.

The drama's narrative is set against the tumultuous period of Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity (2013-2014) and the initial years of the Russian-Ukrainian War. It centers on a family facing internal strife amidst their country's profound societal and political changes.

Sentsov stated that the screenplay is inspired by his own life, including raising a son with autism, participating in the Maidan protests, and evacuating civilians. He described the story as deeply personal, focusing on family dynamics and the choices individuals make during times of historic upheaval.

Ukrainian writer-director Maryna Stepanska has joined as a co-writer for Kai. Production is planned in Ukrainian regions less impacted by conflict, with the crew comprising veterans and serving military personnel, offering them opportunities for transition to civilian life.

Kai is being produced by Arthouse Traffic and Cry Cinema, with co-producers from Poland's Apple Film Production, Germany's ma.ja.de. fiction, Marlene Film Production from the Czech Republic, and France's Playtime, which is also handling international sales.

Financial backing for Kai includes support from the European Solidarity Fund for Ukrainian Films, Ukraine's Ministry of Culture, and the Polish Film Institute. Development was previously aided by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation and other international film funds.

Sentsov gained international acclaim with his 2011 feature Gamer and his 2021 film Rhino, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. His documentary Real, released in 2024, captured front-line combat footage from the 2023 counteroffensive.