Soldiers of Song + The Sound of Hope

Soldiers of Song

Soldiers of Song is an unpretentious documentary about Ukrainian musicians in the midst of Russia’s war of aggression. Directed by Ryan Smith, the film’s expressive register combines the aesthetics of a fast-paced television documentary, music video, vlogs and propaganda film.

The film shows what role a pop star of the 2020s plays in war. At the same time, it also gives a voice and a face to ordinary Ukrainian musicians. For the rock star, the war has meant meeting his audience at home and resistance conveyed through the media. The pop musician’s expression has grown more serious, a song sustaining hope echoes through the bomb shelters, and someone dreaming of a career as an opera singer helps their neighbours in bombed apartment blocks. The rapper, meanwhile, has become the commander of a drone unit.

Soldiers of Song also introduces the cultural troops serving in the Ukrainian armed forces, soldiers who play music for their comrades. This fiery, fighting and brisk documentary does not shy away from the bloody and distressing reality of a war that still continues. It falls silent before the tragedies of both entire cities and individuals.

Justus Pitkänen (translated by Kati Ilomäki)

The Sound of Hope In moments and places of unimaginable hardship, humanitarian aid can do more than help people survive. It can help people regain a sense of normalcy.

The Sound of Hope, a film by the European Union, follows three EU-supported humanitarian workers as they deliver assistance in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Guided by the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, they work alongside affected communities in Syria, Haiti and a Congolese refugee settlement in Burundi, providing help where it is needed most.

From healthcare and shelter to education and spaces where people can feel safe, the film reveals the many forms EU humanitarian aid can take. Alongside the aid workers, we meet people whose lives have been shaped by conflict, displacement and crisis, but whose talents, dreams and extraordinary resilience tell a larger story.

Connecting the voices of aid workers and those receiving aid, The Sound of Hope offers an intimate portrait of the human stories behind EU humanitarian action. These are the stories of aid workers who are on the frontlines every day, and of people whose voices continue to carry hope.

These are the Voices of Humanity.