WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Acts of altruism in the midst of chaos. It can be challenging enough, when our own life is in possible peril, to find the fortitude to stand firm in the face of unsettling circumstances. But, when a multitude of others’ lives are ALSO facing that same series of events, it is an even more daunting task, especially when the odds don’t remotely appear favorable to begin with. However, when the choice MUST be made, does the courage find its way in enough to take action?
It is the harsh actuality of a current, all-too-familiar war that sees a young man named Ivan (Oleksandr Rudynskyi) and his beleaguered physician father (Sergey Kalantay) trying to maintain a ragtag field hospital bunker and care for many who are currently under their purview. But, when the onset of a dire threat to all of their safety emerges, Ivan makes a decision to take matters of their sanctity into his own hands.
Next, my Mind:
Soberingly dramatic, undoubtedly relevant, and wholly impactful in its portrayal of desperation, heroism, and the absolute uncertainty that can manifest even from the best of an intended selfless act of bravery, this BAFTA nominated short film from writer/director Franz Böhm and producer Hayder Rothschild Hoozeer deftly utilizes every moment of its 20-minute runtime to candidly and stirringly illustrate the honor of heroes and the painfully jarring truths of the horror that is war. Honestly, this critic must assuredly applaud Böhm in his affecting and awareness-raising boldness for taking on this particular exploration given the still-present realities of a totally tragic (very sadly ongoing) contemporary conflict that makes up the backdrop for his “based on a true story” effort. It’s those degrees of added reminder and provocative verity the film conveys that is, again sadly, a necessary thing we all should be contemplating and wishing to end.
With its profoundly personal viewpoint as the cornerstone element of the narrative, we follow a son and father team fearlessly but exhaustingly making every attempt to keep an active but hidden field hospital in play, even as their location comes under potential and unanticipated threat, and the choice that will define what happens next. As one might already glean from the general vibe of this foundational premise, the film exceeds in delivering tension from the very beginning and maintains it quite effectively throughout the entire affair. But, as just indicated earlier, I feel the film transcends what still could have been a possible case of “we’ve kind of seen this before” and makes it so much more tangibly compelling BECAUSE of the setting its taking place in and our overall familiarity with it. It allows the narrative to hold bigger sway, as it should, grabbing your emotions and even sense of morality about war’s unforgiving nature with potency and vigor.
It’s always the employment of perspective, especially a HUMAN one on top of a real life event AS the context, that lends itself to becoming relatable and so keenly dynamic when driving the thematic facets home through what we see, hear, and ultimately absorb. We should NEVER grow weary of the kinds of messages a film like this is bringing t0 us, because to even have ANY modicum of “this is old news” or “we already know about all of this” is really a tragedy in itself. Just because we’re not directly involved in a given conflict like this shouldn’t steal away our very heart, soul, and empathy towards those who are genuinely suffering and sacrificing to protect their home from what truly does amount of tyranny. And therefore to depict the steadfast commitment of someone who wants to make a difference for the sake of this fight for liberation and to protect his people is very inspiring while not negating the cruelties that war brings.
Speaking of thematic forays, the film addresses mainly what I have advised about above, but also delves into the concepts of hurried decisions made under duress, the seeking of a solution that will benefit everybody aka: no one gets left behind, putting oneself in harm’s way for the sake of a greater cause, holding out when the situation spirals out of control, and possessing an even stronger willingness to defend what we so deeply believe in all have some form of screen time here, and to purposefully assertive magnitudes. The finale is one that will unavoidable send a jolt through your very being and certainly places an entirely new viewpoint on events, while making the statistical information presented after the film concludes even more forcefully persuasive. Again, it IS this style of film and its objectives that ARE needed, and it is no surprise here that the film got officially nominated for a chance at the BAFTA.
Rudynski exudes levels of controlled energy, emphatic volatility, and overt vulnerability through his role here as Ivan, a young man and son to a physician father who are only trying to do their best to help others and keep them safe in a makeshift medical bunker on the front lines of an unforgiving wartime reality. Ivan’s evident connection with all those under their care becomes even more intense when their lives are suddenly under possible threat by approaching forces. Believing he can take care of the issue despite having no actual military training but rather possessing a stout manner and depth of resolve to see his country free, Ivan embarks on a mission to save them all that takes a turn he wasn’t prepared for. Will be still have that same determination and fortitude in the face of the enemy? It’s that erratic, harrowing emotional state Ivan finds himself experiencing that Rudynski does such an amazingly astute job of bringing out through his performance.
The primary supporting roles arrive first through Kalantay as Ivan’s father, a man so equally intent on ensuring all those under his care are minded and protected, though the strain of their situation is more than obvious in his interactions with Ivan. Milosh Luchanko plays a young boy whom Ivan enjoys playing the film’s namesake with. Yurii Radionov is a wounded soldier under the care of Ivan and his father whom initiates an eager Ivan about warfare. Sebastian Anton play the squad leader of the Russian forces Ivan ends up running afoul of. Oleksandr Yatsenko is another of the Russian squad who has his own ideas about whether to believe anything Ivan tells them or not. Oleksandr Begma is the aerial commander who comes into play. All enact their parts well, especially Anton and Yatsenko who add that air of menace and a viewer’s “love to hate” reaction through their respective characters’ presence and manner.
Additional appearances are made by Bogdana Kalantay, Lee Thompson, Harvey Page, Mat Reeves, Ashfaq Lallmamode, William Perkins, Alex Rusu, Abdullah Tezgel, William Buckley, Grace Kingston, Naomi Platt, Teresa Elias, Sophie Carson, Anastasiia Pereverzeva, Christine Kelly, Jacqueline Abbas, Katt Pier, Chelsea Addams, Edward James Way, David Way, Andril Slipchenko, and Nazar Gunman. So, in total, “Rock, Paper, Scissors” is the total package, visually and dramatically gripping, both movingly inspirational and rawly heartbreaking, serving as a firmly convincing affirmation that when it really comes down to it, no one TRULY wins in war.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
