“Intercepted” by the Ukrainian secret service

The Ukrainian secret service has intercepted thousands of telephone conversations between Russian soldiers and their families. The calls from the front line are a harrowing testimony to the cruelty of war. The documentary juxtaposes the conversations with images of destruction, but also of everyday life among the Ukrainian population, who are trying to cope with the strain. Oksana Karpovych's documentary includes recordings of telephone conversations in which Russian soldiers report to their families from the front.

“Intercepted” projects the world of the destroyers onto that of the destroyed, thus exposing the cruelty of war. However, the documentary also shows people in Ukraine who are trying to counter the attack on their country with a reasonably normal life. The tension can be heard in the voices of the Russian soldiers. Their accounts reflect the phases they have gone through during their deployment, from supposed “heroism” and propaganda to initial doubts and complete disillusionment. There are moments when the men lose their minds and commit looting and atrocities. In their diversity, the conversations reveal the full extent of Russian aggression.

The award-winning and highly acclaimed film – originally titled “Intercepted” – is an impressive document about the dehumanizing power of war. The juxtaposition of the director's view of her destroyed country and the conversations between Russian soldiers and their relatives intercepted by the Ukrainian secret service results in a profound reflection on the banality of evil.

ARTE | Documentary 90 min.