Premiere of the film Warriors of Science: how Ukrainian polar researchers fight and explore Antarctica.

According to FREEДOM:

Documentary film 'Warriors of Science'

On August 30, Ukrainian channels will air the documentary film “Warriors of Science”, created by journalist and volunteer Gennady Kurkin. The film is dedicated to the 29th Ukrainian Antarctic expedition. One of its participants, marine biologist Andriy Zotov, known as 'Captain of Ukraine', was supposed to embark on a scientific mission in February 2022 but instead took up arms to defend his homeland and miraculously survived after a severe injury.

Plot of the film

The documentary film “Warriors of Science” showcases the daily life of Ukrainian polar researchers at the 'Akademik Vernadsky' station. The central figure of the film is Andriy Zotov, who was working in Antarctica on February 24, 2022, the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion. He returned to Ukraine not to continue his research but to defend his country and, having sustained serious injuries, managed to survive against the odds.

This story inspired Gennady Kurkin to create the film.

'During the war, I heard and saw many terrifying and inspiring stories. However, most of them are forgotten over time — one gives way to another. Except for the story of Zotov. It called me itself', Gennady Kurkin says.

Interaction with Andriy Zotov

Andriy Zotov also participated in the 29th expedition, the work of which was filmed by Gennady Kurkin. However, the scientist declined an extensive interview.

'For some reason, I thought he would talk to me, and that would be the main goal of my journey. And here I am sitting in the southernmost bar in the world 'Faraday', Andriy Zotov approaches me and says: 'Look, I can talk to you as a man to a man, but there will be no interview. I will not work with you as a journalist.' It didn't so much strike me as it overwhelmed me. We spent so much time getting to the station with cameras, and this person, whom I respect, without knowing me, says that communication is pointless because he was set up by a journalist from the Wall Street Journal', recalls Gennady Kurkin.

Prospects of the film

However, this twist did not stop the film's creative team. In “Warriors of Science”, viewers will see Andriy Zotov and other scientists at work, as well as hear their personal stories. The film also tells about the technical services of the station and the daily routines of polar researchers.

Among the important themes of the film is the preservation of the Ukrainian Antarctic program amid the war.

'This is already the third rotation during the war. Finding professionals for annual expeditions is becoming increasingly difficult, as many polar researchers or ideal candidates are on the front lines. There have already been several cases where potential overwinterers became military personnel during selection', noted the director of the National Antarctic Scientific Center Yevhen Diky.

Film Premiere

Recall that on August 30, the Ukrainian channels 'Dim', FREEДОМ, UATV.English, and The Gaze will premiere the documentary film “Warriors of Science”, which tells about Ukrainian polar researchers. The film will be released in Ukrainian, English, and Russian. The premiere on the 'Dim' channel will start at 21:00, on the FREEДОМ channel at 10:30, on the YouTube channel UATV.English at 22:00, and on The Gaze at midnight.

The film “Warriors of Science” won the award for 'Best Director' at the National Festival of Documentary Film Cinema for Victory.

• Idea author, journalist: Gennady Kurkin
• Director: Kyrylo Bin
• Cinematographers: Ruslan Bilozorov, Yevhen Savitsky, Oleksandr Khan
• Post-production, editing director: Mikael Torgomyann