“The Invasion” Review: Sergei Loznitsa’s Heart-Wrenching Look at Ukrainian Life in Wartime Will Leave You Speechless!

Sergei Loznitsa: Master of Multifaceted Filmmaking

Diverse Filmmaking Styles

Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa’s impressive body of work spans three distinct genres:

1. Feature Films: Noteworthy titles include “Donbass” and “A Gentle Creature.”
2. Archival Documentaries: Films crafted entirely from archival footage, such as “The Kiev Trial.”
3. Documentaries on Current Events: Real-time documentaries filmed by Loznitsa and his small teams.

The Legacy of “Maidan”

One of Loznitsa’s most acclaimed documentaries is “Maidan” (2014). This film provides a powerful and intricate depiction of the 2013-14 protests in Kiev against the Russian-supported president Viktor Yanukovych, which ultimately escalated into violence.

Unveiling “The Invasion”

Loznitsa’s latest film, “The Invasion,” serves as a companion piece to “Maidan.” It captures the turmoil of a nation at war with a similar urgency and expansive, tragic grandeur. Like “Maidan,” “The Invasion” avoids voiceovers, subtitles, and explicit commentary, opting instead for a raw, immersive perspective filled with empathy, anger, and national pride.

Balanced Perspectives

Despite its patriotic themes, “The Invasion” avoids jingoism. It includes scenes where Ukrainian citizens criticize President Volodymyr Zelensky and his administration, an uncommon sight in documentaries from Ukraine after the Russian invasion began in February 2022. While Loznitsa clearly supports his fellow Ukrainians, he and his crew remain unobtrusive, unlike the first-person narrative style seen in “20 Days in Mariupol.” The closest the film gets to breaking the fourth wall is when passers-by briefly glance at the camera.

Structuring the Story

With nearly two years of footage, Loznitsa and his co-editors, Danielius Kokanauskis and Loznitsa himself, have crafted a film that naturally divides into chapters, reflecting seasonal changes and the ongoing conflict. The documentary captures life’s rhythms through scenes of funerals, weddings, new parents in a maternity hospital, children seeking shelter during air raids, military service, and more funerals.

Moments of Intimacy

Throughout the film, voices are heard, though Loznitsa’s preference for wide shots often leaves it unclear who is speaking. Despite this, the documentary features moments of deep intimacy, particularly in the maternity ward, where a father in military fatigues meets his newborn son. Amid the grim reality of war, the film also follows volunteers delivering care packages and visiting a preschool dressed as Santa Claus and a giant pink cat, bringing joy to the children.

A Moving Conclusion

In a typically stern Slavic manner, the children are told to smile if they want sweets, and while they comply, the trauma is visible in their faces. “The Invasion” is a profoundly moving, poetic film that deserves a wide audience beyond the festival circuit.