Hoezo in KINO

In no man’s land in the heart of the conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces, longtime neighbors take in soldiers from both sides. As war grinds on and resources become scarce, they recognize that isolation is no longer an option. The world premiere of Grey Bees took place at the IFFR in 2024, after which the film earned numerous awards, including Ukrainian Film Critics’ Prize. To shed light on the film and its themes, the screening will be followed by a discussion, featuring a Dutch and a Ukrainian film critic.

Credits

Regie: Dmytro Moiseiev
Genre: Drama
Speelduur: 102 minutes
Land: Ukraine
Taal: Ukranian
Ondertiteling: English

Storyline

Grey Bees as seen by Ukrainian critic Hanna Datsiuk

Only two men remain in a deserted village lost within the “gray zone” of Eastern Ukraine – Serhiyovych and Pashka. Once childhood friends, they are now reluctant neighbors, bound by a shared past and the quiet weight of solitude. Serhiyovych, a beekeeper, lives by his own rules, taking care of his bees — the last fragile link to a life before the war. Pashka, on the other hand, is restless and shrewd, scraping by however he can, never too concerned about picking sides. Together they cling to a place that feels less and less like home. But when a Russian sniper appears on the outskirts, their uneasy balance begins to crumble, demanding a choice they can no longer avoid.

Directed by Dmytro Moyseyev, Grey Bees unfolds like a theatrical production, relying on the magnetic dynamic between two remarkable actors — Victor Zhdanov and Volodymyr Yamnenko. The setting itself, seemingly pulled straight from wartime reportage, blurs the line between documentary and fiction. Moyseyev transforms real locations into a vivid cinematic space, filling it with characters and stories that feel deeply lived-in.

Rather than leaning to the traditional genre of war drama, the film takes an intimate approach to depicting life at the epicenter of conflict. It’s not about battlefield action but about those trapped in a place they cannot leave — home that has been long gone. The ever-present specter of death and decay makes this vision of Donbass one of the loneliest places in the world. And yet, for those who remain, escape is not an option. This is a story of those who’ve been displaced by staying at their birthplace.