Bad Roads
Four short stories are set along the treacherous roads of Donbass, Ukraine during the war. There are no safe spaces and no one can make sense of just what is going on. Even as they are trapped in the chaos, some manage to wield authority over others. Originally presented on stage at the Royal Court Theater in London and adapted powerfully by writer/director Natalya Vorozhbit, BAD ROADS presents a series of tension-packed vignettes, each built around a dangerous encounter on the byways of Eastern Ukraine. With a particular sensitivity to the vulnerability of women during wartime, Vorozhbit's debut feature, Ukraine's official submission to the 2022 Academy Awards, “reflects the gloomy political reality of Ukraine and the pressure that Russia exerts on everyday life” (IndieWire).
"The filmmakers invite us more than once to ponder the value of human life (in kilograms) as you might haggle over the price of a brood hen accidentally run over in the street. Either calculation can prove surprisingly difficult, and this has grave implications for cycles of hatred and violence. While war is shown to have a will of its own that overpowers and diverts the best intentions of mere mortals, Bad Roads doesn’t veer into moral relativism. Right and wrong exist, and moral debts accrue, but there will never be full accounting and recompense for death. Highly recommended." - EMRO
"Bad Roads depicts how difficult it is for families to endure war. Because the film is based on a true story filled with fear and uncertainty, it is a good choice for history majors and those pursuing conflict resolution courses." - Video Librarian
Cast
- Igor Koltovskyy
- Anna Zhurakovskaya
- Maryna Klimova
- Yuri Kulinich
- Zoya Baranovskaya
DVD Features
Discs: 1
- "Insightful.... Putting regular citizens who suddenly find themselves in extraordinary circumstances under a microscope, she shows how women bear the brunt of the brutality of war, even if nominally only the men are fighting. "
- "The ensemble cast is brilliant, particularly the three girls, who are non-professionals. But the narratives are grim and unforgiving. Bad Roads is a Hieronymus Bosch painting come to life: utter depravity of mind and body."
- "Powerfully acted...the film serves as a launch pad to help a new Ukrainian talent gain wider notice."
- "Natalya Vorozhbit’s adaptation of her 2017 play is a howl of anguish over the recent history of the Ukraine and the impact of hostilities with neighbouring Russia. Her powerful directorial debut uses four stories to illustrate the appalling treatment of women and how a climate of fear destroys any thought of compassion. "
- "A stark reminder of how quickly our humanity can disappear during war."
- "It’s a visceral, powerful experience but beware: the film is decidedly not for the faint of heart. It’ll burrow itself into your head for a long, long time."
- "Impressively restrained in its flirtation with full-bore horror, it’s a reminder that when inhumanity is the everyday norm, there may be few things more futile -- or dangerous -- than the stirrings of individual conscience."
- "Twists and turns abound with the most satisfying moments being those in which relationships and expectations of who has power get turned onto their heads."
Gallery
Awards & Recognition
Verona Film Club Award
Venice Film Festival
Best Actor
Ukrainian Film Critics Awards
Best Actress
Ukrainian Film Critics Awards
Best Screenplay
Ukrainian Film Academy Awards
Best Actor
Ukrainian Film Academy Awards
Best Supporting Actor
Ukrainian Film Academy Awards
Best Supporting Actress
Ukrainian Film Academy Awards
Thessaloniki Int'l. Film Festival
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