Ukrainian cinema at its bravest: 5 films about fighters who refused to yield
Films about heroes (collage: RBC-Ukraine)
Ukrainian history has always inspired filmmakers with figures who challenged circumstances and enemies. That's why heroic stories—both real and fictional—keep appearing on the big screen. Ahead of Independence Day, the adventure film "Three" is being released, about three friends unafraid to take risks. Here is a selection of five contemporary Ukrainian films that have already become symbols of resilience and courage.
Three (2025)
Set in 1920, the film tells the story of the Makhnovists who decide to rob the Bolsheviks. But things go wrong, and now an elite squad from Petrograd is chasing them. The enemies have no idea how determined the heroes are.
The film promises lots of action and large-scale scenes. Thirty horses were used in the shooting, and historical weapons were recreated.
Dovbush (2023)
The most expensive film supported by the State Film Agency, it tells the story of Oleksa Dovbush’s epic confrontation with Polish authorities. The film covers a long period of the hero's life, from serving in the Polish army to being the legendary leader of the opryshky.
Up to 600 people were involved simultaneously in the filming, and a total of 1,000 unique costumes were created. The movie impresses with attention to detail while maintaining spectacular visuals.
Cyborgs: Heroes Don't Die (2017)
One of the first and best Ukrainian films about the war that began in 2014. The story depicts the heroic defense of Donetsk airport, which in reality lasted 242 days. The heroes of the film are the real "Cyborgs" who held the airport until the end.
The filmmakers consulted actual defenders of the airport, who served as prototypes for the main characters. This made the dialogue authentic, and the equipment and battles closely reflect reality as much as cinema allows.
Bohdan-Zynoviy Khmelnytsky (2006)
A true Ukrainian epic classic. The film depicts Zbarazh's battle during the Ukrainian liberation war against the Polish nobility. At the center is Bohdan Khmelnytsky, shown as both a brilliant strategist and an ordinary man with weaknesses and struggles in love.
Mykola Mashchenko initially wanted to create a full series about Khmelnytsky, but a lack of funding got in the way. As a result, a single-episode film was made, which still impresses with its battle scenes even 20 years later. The director made no compromises here, and more than 3,000 extras were involved in the battle sequences at the same time.
Unbowed (2000)
"Unbowed" is the only feature film centered on Roman Shukhevych. The protagonist leads the armed struggle against the NKVD, combining gunfights with espionage and personal drama.
The film draws on historical sources but creates its own mythologized story of Shukhevych's activities. Despite a relatively small budget (equivalent to half a million dollars today), the film includes many action scenes and was shot across four regions: the Carpathians, Kyiv, Odesa, and Lviv.
