VARTA Project:

The non-fiction film project is by the Ukrainian company “Neutrino”.

It’s a 6-episode film. Each episode covers the history of the separate military brigades and personnel who perform highly complex tasks and achieve victories on the battlefield during a full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation in Ukraine.

Episode duration: 20 minutes.
Duration of the full non-fiction project: 120 minutes.

Unfortunately, the present time is filled with conflicts and wars. Tensions between countries are escalating, and many other countries are embroiled in war. Thousands of soldiers die daily; men and women, both professional soldiers and volunteers, sacrifice their lives to defend us peaceful citizens.

Our mission with our VARTA films is to express our gratitude to them, to show their significance in this world, and to bring honour and dignity to those who truly deserve it. They risk their lives and lose their health and friends. They face a heavy fate. For our ability to live, to be happy and free, we owe it to them.

20% of every donation goes toward supporting our Defenders and Veterans with vital equipment. More information can be found under each perk. Thank you in advance for supporting our heroes!

WHY VARTA MATTERS:

VARTA offers a poignant glimpse into the realities of modern warfare. By intimately portraying our frontline heroes,  our films capture the unfiltered essence of their lives and experiences. As Ukrainian filmmakers, our aim is to weave a narrative that stands as a testament to future generations, highlighting courage in the face of adversity. While we pay homage to those who have fallen, our mission is to share the stories while these heroes are still with us.

These stories really show how war affects our soldiers and everyone around them. When we understand these personal experiences it helps us see the bigger picture of war’s impact on mental health, families, and communities. It’s a chance for us to care more, think deeply, and talk openly about how wars affect us all. And, importantly, it pushes the international community to prioritise solutions to help us overcome this conflict.

Our first short film has resonated with people globally, gaining over 1,000,000 views and garnering both local and international acclaim. It has also been spotlighted on Ukranina platforms like United24, Ukraine.ua, Saint Javelin, WithUKraine, and Elle Ukraine and screened in Copenhagen and Riga, with attendees from more than 11 different embassies and representatives of the European Council. 

FUNDING:

The VARTA Project, a labour of dedication entirely self-funded by a committed team amidst the conflict’s absence of paid opportunities, has become our life’s mission. Acknowledging the necessity of external support, we’re driven to fulfil its potential.

As the total number of episodes reaches 6, the overall project cost is £160,000. The allocated funds will cover compensating our crew. Pre-production expenses include renting filming and sound equipment, specialised vehicles for combat zone mobility, fuel, and protective gear. Post-production activities encompass film editing, colour grade, soundtrack, sound editing, music expenses, specialised software acquisition, and subtitle creation.

Our goal extends beyond filmmaking. We aspire to secure placement on one or more platforms like YouTube Film, National Geographic, and Amazon Prime.

Additionally, we aim for slots on European and US TV channels, broadening our audience. Collaborative screenings with embassies across the UK, Europe, and the US, including a special screening at the US Congress, aim to amplify exposure for these compelling narratives.

Even if we don’t reach total funding, we guarantee the project’s realisation.

Sponsors can track our progress on Instagram, find updates online, and watch the film on YouTube.

@varta.project
YT.com/VartaProject

PART 1: Cherubs [Helicopter Pilots]
[Already shot and released: CHERUBS]

The story of the 11th Separate Army Aviation Brigade “Kherson”*. They defended Kyiv, engaged in fierce battles in Irpin, carried out missions at “Azovstal,” and participated in the operation to liberate Snake Island. Russia had and still has much more modern combat aviation, while Ukrainian pilots every day perform the impossible in the sky with forty-year-old planes – defending Ukraine. 

*Unfortunately, some of the film’s heroes have already passed away, and the film serves as a posthumous tribute to their memory.

PART 2: Riders of the Storm [Tank Troopers]

The story of men from the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade who conduct fierce tank battles using Soviet-era equipment. They perform combat missions and actively help the infantry reconquest Ukrainian lands east of Ukraine. In the past, they were farmers, tractor drivers and rappers; now – they are fighters who share personal stories, telling about the war through a tank sight and triplex.

PART 3: Hands of God [Fighter Pilots]

The story of SU-25 pilots who made more than 400 combat sorties during the full-scale invasion, some of the pilots are not even 23 years old, they fly at a critically low altitude, sometimes 10 meters above the ground at a speed of more than 900 km—/hour. Perform super-complex flights to defeat the enemy effectively.

PART 4: Native Earth [Demining Pioneers]

Millions of unexploded shells and mines littered Ukrainian land due to the Russian invasion. The only way to clear the territory’s land is to remove them. Thousands of sappers work on mine clearance every day, risking their lives. Some of these men are foreigners who came to Ukraine at the call of their souls. This episode demonstrates the sacredness of the native land for the Ukrainian people.

PART 5 & PART 6 are still being developed and will feature Foot Soldiers and Medics.

WHO ARE WE:

VARTA Project is produced by LLC Neutrino, registered in London, and conducts filming for the project in Eastern Ukraine. The producers are Mariana Shafrо, and Evgen Matviyenko directs the project.

Director Evgeniy Matvienko, a multi-talented Ukrainian filmmaker and Creative Director, has dedicated over 13 years to producing films and TV series for global audiences on, e.g. Netflix. However, in light of the war, his work has taken a turn towards capturing the harrowing realities of all-encompassing warfare by highlighting the individuals who dare to face its brutality and their lives defending Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Producer Mariana Shafro, an accomplished Ukrainian photographer and film producer, earned her degree from the New York Film Academy in 2009. With over 15 years of work, he has been featured in prestigious publications like Vogue, Forbes, ELLE, L’officiel, and Life. However, since the start of the war in Ukraine, she’s devoted her life to volunteering and fighting as part of a creative battalion.

LASTLY:

Permission for research and filming in the war zone on the frontlines has already been obtained and permitted, and our team are preparing for the next shoot and journey returning to the frontline. Despite the high level of danger, the team understands the importance and necessity of the project. We will independently venture into areas of ongoing military operations to show the world the true picture of our Defenders lives.

Donating to this project means donating to human life, donating to ourselves. This film is not commercial; unfortunately, most people are interested in movie stars, but our heroes are the real soldiers. They might not have globally recognized names, but they possess extraordinary bravery and great hearts. By supporting this project, you will enable the world to see the souls of these soldiers and hear their experiences, voices, and dreams. As long as they are alive, as long as they can share their story with society.

Join us in supporting our work to shed light on our Defenders world and its impact on history.

WITH HEARTFELT THANK YOU,

Evgeniy, Mariana & Team VARTA