Donbass
Donbass

Movie spotlight

Donbass

2018
Movie
122 min
Ukrainian

In the historic Donbass region of eastern Ukraine, despite the cruel war that has been raging since 2014 between the self-proclaimed People's Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk and the Ukrainian government, people try to survive in the rotten heart of chaos, where violence disguises itself as peace, propaganda becomes univocal truth and hatred reigns in the name of love.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes82%
Metacritic75/100
Google Users78%
Director: Sergei LoznitsaGenres: War, Drama, History, Comedy

Plot Summary

Donbass is a satirical drama that offers a fragmented and darkly comic look at the unfolding conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Through a series of interconnected episodes, it portrays the absurdity and brutality of life in a war-torn region, where propaganda, fake news, and opportunistic individuals blur the lines between reality and fiction. The film exposes the psychological and social impact of conflict on ordinary people caught in the crossfire.

Critical Reception

Donbass received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its unflinching portrayal of the conflict's grim realities and its satirical edge. While some found its episodic structure challenging, many lauded its powerful performances and its timely, relevant subject matter. The film was noted for its ability to provoke thought and conversation about the nature of truth and propaganda in wartime.

What Reviewers Say

  • A stark and satirical examination of a modern conflict zone.

  • Praised for its unflinching realism and dark humor.

  • The film's fragmented narrative effectively mirrors the chaos of war and disinformation.

Google audience: Google users generally found Donbass to be a thought-provoking and impactful film, with many appreciating its raw depiction of the conflict and its critical look at propaganda. Some viewers noted its challenging nature, but overall, the reception was positive, highlighting its relevance and artistic merit.

Awards & Accolades

Best Director at the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival (2018).

Fun Fact

Director Sergei Loznitsa conducted extensive research, including interviews with those directly affected by the conflict, to ensure the film's authenticity, even though it is presented as a fictionalized account.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Stephen Campbell

Stephen Campbell

_**Angry, trenchant, and viciously satirical**_ >_Checkpoints and barricades made out of tires have been installed on the highways of the Донецьк [Donetsk] region of Донба́с [Donbass]. In the cities, administrative buildings have been se...