A Simple Soldier | Ukraine war documentary with award-winning director visit | Gåsebäck Film Festival 2026

Our first documentary at Gåsebäck Film Festival 2026 with a special visit by Emmy- and BAFTA-winning director Juan Camilo Cruz.

Synposis:

When Russia invades Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Ukrainian filmmaker Artem Ryzhykov is thrust into a new reality. Leaving behind his new love, Ira, he joins the Territorial Defense Forces, despite the fear of becoming a soldier. Under the call sign Canon, he uses his camera to document the war from within, capturing the stories of his fellow soldiers—Marta, Fantom, Medic, and Serhiy—as they face the chaos, heartache, and brutal realities of modern warfare. A Simple Soldier is an intimate, deeply human story about love, duty, friendship, and the cost of war, revealing both its devastation and moments of resilience.

Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo2szj8rnOo

Runtime: 96 minutes

Language: Ukrainian with English subtitles

Location: Röda Kvarn, big salon