Yegor Troyanovsky: Cuba & Alaska

At numerous workshops in Eastern Europe I have told filmmakers from that part of the world that to call all characters or protagonists “heroes” is not a good idea – as in English they are people, who have done something extraordinary, outstanding, with courage, people who deserves admiration. I have just finished my armchair watching of a film with protagonists, who are heroes in the best sense of the word.

And who simply are the best film protagonists, you could wish for: Oleksandra Lysytska (“Alaska”) and Yuliia Sidorova (“Cuba”), who fill the film with their unique personalities. Close friends, both working as combat medics on the front line, experiencing what war is, when it is most brutal and deadly and at the same time spreading good atmosphere within the male teams they are part of. Cuba is in most parts of the film laughing her way through life, caring, and so much more, when Alaska gets seriously injured and end up in a wheelchair for some time followed by hard rehab; she has to learn to walk again. She draws, whereas Cuba is a talented fashion designer and the film follows her to a show in Paris – and from there to Alicante, where her mother lives with their dog. By the way, Cuba reminds me so much of Apolonia from the film with the same name by Lea Glob. A powerhouse of energy and passion.

It’s a roller coaster of a film full of strong emotional human scenes from the front line and from the medic cars, where you are invited to follow the professional work of Cuba, when she is trying to save lives or “at least” limbs of wounded soldiers.

I found myself shouting at the screen, using words used pretty often in the film, motherfuckers and bastards, it makes you angry, an understatement, but sometimes, with tears in eyes, it is unbearable to watch. But the two women’s hunger for Life, their dedication to their jobs that they have been performing since 2014, their friendship and all the funny situations with Cuba laughing and Alaska’s dry humor, make this film viewer go through good and bad emotions on behalf of women fighting for a free country. It has to be said that there are wonderful male characters as well, like Artist and Baldhead and Sreba. The latter comes to play an important role in the film.

The film is a big international coproduction, part of the Ukrainian documentary slate within Arte. Meaning that also this UA documentary will reach a big audience outside the festivals, where it is touring right now. Tomorrow it will be in Munich.

Photo credit: Yegor Troyanovsky, who is now in the army.

Ukraine and many other countries, 2025, 93 mins.