On the Frontline, filmed by the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, highlights the vital role of newspapers and communication during wartime in the country, following Russia’s invasion.

In Kharkiv, a city left without power after a Russian attack, a newspaper is produced under extraordinary circumstances. The printing press is only switched on for twenty minutes to produce the paper, demonstrating the resilience of Ukrainians in the face of war and the importance of such efforts for victory.

People in these areas help distribute the newspapers free of charge, ensuring their fellow villagers stay informed when there is no other source of news due to the lack of electricity and internet.

On the Frontline documents the daily life of a journalist who travels to deliver newspapers to villages near the frontlines, where people struggle to remain informed in the absence of electricity and internet. “For the sake of these ideas and these people, I continue to do this extremely unprofitable and difficult job. I will always do it as long as my health and financial situation allow me to. We are unloading,” he says.

The journalist’s journey takes him through dangerous areas, where snipers are present, and he often swaps his press vest for civilian clothes to blend in for safety. The film illustrates how these brave individuals continue their work at great personal risk, driven by their commitment to their country and communities.

The short film will be screened in Ukrainian with English subtitles.