Ukrainian filmmaker Alisa Kovalenko, known for her documentaries Alisa in Warland, Home Games, and We Will Not Fade Away, has taken on a new role—soldier. When Russia invaded Ukraine in the spring of 2022, Kovalenko enlisted to defend her homeland, leaving behind her husband, French author and producer Stéphane Siohan, and their young son, Théo. Her latest film, My Dear Théo, will have its world premiere on March 23 at the prestigious Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival, CPH:DOX.
The documentary is crafted through a series of poignant letters sent by Kovalenko to her five-year-old son from the frontlines of war. These letters cover themes such as the horrors of conflict, the power of love, and the heart-wrenching choices mothers must make during wartime. The film’s logline describes it as a testament to “the power of love in times of war,” blending the daily routines of soldiers, the horrors of the battlefield, and the intimate, poetic correspondence between mother and child.
My Dear Théo provides a raw look at the Ukrainian frontline. The documentary captures the quieter moments of reflection and camaraderie shared among soldiers, juxtaposed with the intense and sudden chaos of Russian attacks. “But most of a soldier’s time is spent waiting,” the festival’s website reads. “And it is in these moments of stillness that the inner turmoil often becomes more overwhelming than the violence of battle itself.”
In an exclusive trailer revealed, viewers are offered a glimpse into Kovalenko’s emotional journey. The trailer features scenes of Théo, Kovalenko, and her fellow soldiers navigating the complexities of war and the deep emotional toll it takes.
Reflecting on her experience, Kovalenko explains the deeper meaning behind her documentary: “You spend hours, days, and nights in that trench, and you begin to notice the small things—the leaves, the trees, the minute details that might seem trivial but are part of the lived experience,” she says. “There is also a deeper, existential element that the camera can’t quite capture. For me, it was even more important to express what I was feeling in writing. That’s why, in the end, I believe the letters hold far more emotional weight than the footage itself.”
One particularly poignant moment in the film stands out for Kovalenko: “In the film, there is a scene where I speak about parents going to the front line so that our children wouldn’t have to. Théo then turned to me and said, ‘Mama, I don’t want you to go back to the frontline. I’ll go instead.’”
Produced by Haka Films and sold by Stranger Films Sales, My Dear Théo is set to captivate audiences with its intimate portrayal of a mother’s love, the brutality of war, and the resilience of the human spirit. The exclusive trailer for the film is now available for viewing.
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