As a cinema devotee with a penchant for documentaries that delve into the human spirit and resilience, I found “Rule of Two Walls” to be a profoundly moving and thought-provoking piece. Having lived through the tumultuous times of the Cold War and seen how art served as a beacon of hope during those challenging times, this film resonated deeply with me.
Unrelenting and distressingly loud, the tumultuous sounds of war – artillery fire, air raid sirens, and explosions – have drowned out the voices of those being attacked in Ukraine by Russia. However, as Ukrainian citizens adapt to living with the devastation that accompanies their daily lives, the strength and determination of the country’s artists resonate powerfully. Through the poignant, yet still eerily haunting film titled “Rule of Two Walls,” directed by Ukrainian American filmmaker David Gutnik, a compilation of artist portraits is presented. These portraits showcase the stories of artists from various regions of Ukraine who have sought refuge in the city of Lviv, including some of the individuals involved in creating this very documentary.
Filmed in early 2022, during the first months of the invasion, the documentary “Rule of Two Walls” delves into casual reflections about how the ongoing occupation has disrupted both personal and professional aspects of some of Ukraine’s most talented artists. The voices heard include Lyana Mytsko, director of Lviv Municipal Art Center, where artists create and showcase their work, and rapper Stepan Burban (also known as Palindrom), whose lyrics, poignantly in Ukrainian after initially attempting them in Russian, express dreams that have been abruptly halted by the violence. The film’s sound recordist Mykhailo Zakutskyi is also featured, along with producer Olha Beskhmelnytsina, who discusses her choice to stay in the country: not only to care for her parents but also to facilitate the documentation of these events on film.
Instead of using traditional talking-head interviews, which might have seemed visually static compared to the dynamic energy of the subjects, Gutnik chose a lively soundtrack, creative camera techniques, and smooth transitions between shots. The footage is carefully selected to highlight either the artistic process or personal moments in daily life. The documentary “Rule of Two Walls” is split into three parts, but these sections aren’t based on the individuals sharing their memories. Instead, Gutnik organizes their introspective thoughts, resulting in multiple voices in each segment.
Keep in mind that the moving essays you’ll encounter are accompanied by highly disturbing visuals. Scenes of charred bodies, a decapitated corpse, and decomposing remains in various stages will likely make you want to avert your gaze. Yet, these stark images serve a purpose, intentionally shocking the audience as a reminder of the grim reality that underscores these artistic endeavors.
As an artist navigating through the tumultuous landscape of conflict, the “rule of two walls” serves as a poignant metaphor for my precarious position – a safe haven amidst chaos, yet surrounded by pain and turmoil. I am both a victim and a hero, enduring the haze of war, but still grappling with the question: is creating art in such circumstances trivial or therapeutic?
Towards the end of the movie, Gutnik makes a powerful appearance, conversing in English about the sorrowful event, despite none of his immediate family members speaking Ukrainian, although they were all born there. During Soviet times, Russian was the compulsory language to secure employment, which was probably an attempt at assimilation, aiming to suppress individuality among the republics.
Putin’s speeches often include the idea that Ukraine lacks a unique culture, which is an unfounded assertion. A glance at the rich tapestry of memories and expressions portrayed in “Rule of Two Walls” quickly makes such a claim appear absurd.
Maybe it’s the powerful depiction of a theater in Mariupol before it was destroyed that truly underscores the doctor’s belief in the importance of art, even in the most challenging situations. Though the structure no longer stands as it once did, the memory of it from a time that now feels far away can still inspire hope. It represents a physical emblem of their shared dreams, something worth fighting for. “Rule of Two Wars” holds a similar significance.
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2024-11-02 04:16