A Ukrainian Love Story

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A love story between two ideological OPPONENTS  

For the most part of his life Dmytro Riznychenko, the odious leader of the Ukrainian far-right, admired violence, derived inspiration from the symbols and personalities of Nazi Germany and took part in radical street actions. 

Many of these actions were aimed against friends and comrades of his ideological opponent - Tetyana Pavlenko, an ambitious and courageous anarcho-feminist leader. 

The revolutionary events of 2014, followed by the outbreak of war in Eastern Ukraine, have led to a deep identity crises for both Tetyana and Dmytro.

She loses her home and her family relations after the Russian occupation of Crimea. He witnesses the cowardice and betrayal by his ex-comrades from the ultra-rightist group C14 during the events of the Maidan uprising.

Amongst an unrelenting war and after having survived the notorious Ilovaysk ambush of August 2014, Dmytro finds and loses many brothers in arms. These brothers are not only hardened neo nazi comrades but also soldiers from the LGBT community, anarchists and ordinary citizens; all fighting shoulder to shoulder in a war of national liberation against Russia. 

Amongst trauma and loss Tetyana and Dmytro start looking for answers to their ideological questions, eventually becoming the first nazi and anarchist who dared to overcome their political boundaries and talk. 

As their past relationships break down, the former enemies to everyone’s surprise

fall in love with each other. 

Instantaneously both rightist and leftist groups proclaim them traitors. 

Dmytro’s ex- neo nazi comrades declare war on him.  

Death threats, attacks, and beatings have become a usual background of Dmytro’s and Tetyana’s new found love life together.

In spite of the constant danger and loss of all their past social connections, Tetyana and Dmytro find strength in their love for each other and continue to take an active part in politics.

This observational documentary follows a true love story as the two go through immense ideological and emotional changes. The film is set to a backdrop of conflicted visual encounters, where past beliefs are confronted and erased by new experiences. 

Tetyana takes Dmytro to LGBT parities, much to the despair of some of her friends. Awkward scenes take place as some greet him as a war hero, whilst others wonder how a man with such a past could ever affiliate himself with leftist politics. Tetyana meanwhile comes to accept that the couple’s existence should be protected by weapons. The demons of Dmytro’s past constantly bites back to haunt them. 

Their delicate love and support for each other is intertwined with the post traumatic stress disorder they are both suffering from as war rages to the east the country. Dmytro uses marijuana to ease his violent memories and break his habits of sleeping next to his gun. These psychedelic experiences are intercut with abstract visual sequences of Kiev City; hinting at moments of Ukraine’s collective trauma. 

Amongst a backdrop of a capital hosting growing torch lite fascist marches, how will this couples radical love survive the criticism of their ex friend groups? Tetyana believes that their unity can overcome political boundaries and frontiers, but many of her friends won’t accept this. The two try on many occasions try to bring old friends together, including neo nazi’s from Dmytro’s past. The meetings often end in arguments and confrontation leaving the two with only their love and each other. This film also shows what life is like for veterans re-settling back to a 'normal' life after serving in the war. 

This unique relationship is full of mutual learning, gentle support, humor and self-irony. As the events of the film unfold, they will continue to form their new identities, thriving for political changes and personal happiness in a turbulent and unpredictable contemporary Ukraine.

For more information contact the director Ross domoney

photographyross@mac.com