Two years after the onset of Russia’s invasion of #Ukraine, the Krakow Film Festival shines a light on the conflict from an unexpected angle through its International Documentary Competition. The festival has taken a stance against showcasing Russian-produced films, except for those created outside the system that openly critique Putin’s politics. This year, two documentaries, Of Caravan and the Dogs by #Askold Kurov# and anonymous contributors, and Intercepted by #Oksana Karpovych# are in the spotlight for their unique perspectives on the war.

Of Caravan and the Dogs delves into the plight of the Russian opposition just before and after the invasion of Ukraine, portraying the dire consequences of dissent against Putin’s regime. Through a vivid documentation of the opposition’s struggles, the film provides insight into the escalating repression faced by those who challenge the Kremlin.

On the other side, Intercepted captures the devastating impact of the war on Ukraine through intercepted phone calls between Russian soldiers and their families. Director Oksana Karpovych chooses not to focus on the soldiers’ faces but on the eerie silence of the war-torn landscapes and the personal, often harrowing, conversations that reveal the complex human emotions involved in the conflict.