The film "A SIMPLE SOLDIER" was screened at Kino Sõprus

To mark the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, a screening of the feature-length documentary "A SIMPLE SOLDIER" was held at Kino Sõprus.

The screening was part of the Ukrainian Film Club in Estonia / Ukraina kinoklubi Eestis and was organised by the Association of Ukrainian Organisations in Estonia together with the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Estonia!

Audiences in Estonia were among the first to see the film on the big screen, as its first public screening in Ukraine took place on 2 October at the Odesa International Film Festival, where it won Best Ukrainian Feature Documentary and received a FIPRESCI diploma in the same category!

The event began with the national anthems of Ukraine and Estonia performed by Kateryna Chalova and Denis Priimagi, and a minute of silence for all the defenders killed in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

The audience in Estonia was greeted by one of the film's heroes, Oleksii Fandetskyi (call sign Phantom), deputy commander of the 241st Separate Territorial Defence Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He thanked the organisers for screening the film in Estonia, and the Estonian people and government for their unwavering support for Ukraine and for allocating large sums for military aid and medicines.
"Thank you that Estonia was the first European country to take on the reconstruction of an entire region of Ukraine – Zhytomyr region. Thank you for standing with us and fighting with us against our common aggressor neighbour – the Russian Federation. Glory to Ukraine!"

The host of the event and PR Director of the Association Inna Hordiienko congratulated everyone on the Day of Defenders of Ukraine and spoke about the film's special significance:
"Today we thank everyone who brings our Victory closer – defenders, medics, volunteers. Among them are people of many professions, including the cultural sector. I don't think I need to list now the large number of cultural figures who put their creative work on hold and went to defend the country! Today we will watch a film about just such a person! This film reveals an important truth: war does not only break people – it makes them extraordinary," she said.

The chairman of the Association addressed the audience – Volodymyr Palamar:
"Today's screening is special – it is dedicated to the Day of Defenders of Ukraine! This day reminds us that our freedom and independence rest on the courage of the people who defend Ukraine every day. "A Simple Soldier" is the story of an artist who became a defender. It shows how a camera can become a weapon while still remaining a camera – a witness to war, a witness to humanity even amid chaos.
We dedicate this screening to our soldiers. To those who are on the front line now. To those who will return home as victors. And to those who will never return but will remain forever in our memory and our hearts," he concluded.

The Ambassador of Ukraine to Estonia, Volodymyr Boiechko, addressed the guests at Kino Sõprus. In his view, the film reveals the true face of war – as a daily choice: to live, to fight, to win.
"We believe in a victory that will bring peace back to our land, our loved ones back home and our cities and villages back to life. And we know – that day will surely come.
We deeply value the support of Estonia and our partners. Your solidarity is proof that we are not alone in this struggle. It gives us strength and faith.
Thank you for being with us today and for sharing with Ukraine its pain and pride, its courage and hope," he said.

After the film, the audience gave a storm of applause to its director Artem Ryzhykov, who joined the guests online.

Artem – the film's main character and director – traded his camera for a rifle at the start of the war and joined the 241st Separate Territorial Defence Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, taking the call sign "Canon".

A long and lively discussion followed, during which anyone could ask the director questions. The guests were moved by Artem's sincere answers; he stressed that the war is his conscious choice.

Artem joined from Kyiv, where he was receiving his award from the Odesa Film Festival – and just two days earlier he had been near Pokrovsk!

During the screening, everyone joined a fundraiser for a fibre-optic spooling machine for the soldiers of the "Vyrii" unmanned systems company of the 241st Separate Territorial Defence Brigade. Thanks to all of you, we raised 335 euros!

We thank everyone who came to see the film and everyone who helped organise the event: Artem Ryzhykov and the film's creative team, who did everything possible and impossible to bring the film to Estonia!

The Embassy of Ukraine in Estonia (Inna Bibyk), the commander of the 241st Brigade Colonel Oleksandr Voloshyn, deputy commander Oleksii Fandetskyi, and the commander's adviser, reserve senior lieutenant Yurii Pavlenko!

Thank you for helping to run the event: Denis Priimagi, Allan Teetlaus, Kateryna Chalova, Oleksandr Storozhuk, Margarita Katrenko.

Special thanks to Kino Sõprus for the cooperation and warm welcome!

Thank you for the wonderful photos to Oleksandr Storozhuk.