''War Through the Eyes of Animals' (Війна очима тварин)
“WAR THROUGH THE EYES OF ANIMALS” — SPECIAL SCREENING IN TALLINN DEDICATED TO THE DAY OF THE DEFENDERS OF UKRAINE
On 29 September at 17:00, we invite you to Kino Sõprus in Tallinn for a screening of the Ukrainian film anthology Animals in War — seven stories about the Russo-Ukrainian war told through the lives of those who cannot put their experiences into words. This special screening by the Ukrainian Film Club in Estonia is dedicated to the Day of the Defenders of Ukraine, traditionally commemorated by Ukrainians on 1 October.
War changes and destroys more than human lives. Animals, too, suffer from shelling, occupation, destroyed homes and forced displacement. They do not understand the reasons for war, yet they experience fear, pain and loss just the same.
Animals in War tells their stories — and, at the same time, the stories of people who, even in the most terrible circumstances, retain their ability to care, rescue and take responsibility for those around them.
Seven stories. Seven directors. Seven true stories.
The protagonists of the individual stories include a white rabbit, a cow, a goat, a wolf, a cat, an eagle and even aquarium fish. Through their fates, the filmmakers reveal different dimensions of the war in Ukraine — from the first days of the full-scale invasion to the lives of people and animals amid ongoing hostilities.
The anthology was directed by Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi, Yuliia Shashkova, Maksym Tuzov, Oleksii Mamedov, Sviatoslav Kostiuk, Andrii Lidahovskyi and Ivan Sautkin. The film was created and produced by Oleg Kokhan, with Oleksii Makukhin as producer.
One of the anthology’s special stories is “The Eagle”, directed by Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi and featuring two-time Academy Award winner Sean Penn. The film’s main soundtrack features “Burn Out” by Imagine Dragons. The world premiere of Animals in War took place in June 2025 at one of the world’s best-known film festivals — the Tribeca Festival in New York.
In July 2026, the film received important recognition from the Ukrainian film community. At the 10th anniversary Golden Dzyga National Film Awards, Maryna Koshkina won the award for Best Actress for her performance in Animals in War.
The anthology was also nominated in the categories Best Film, Best Supporting Actress — Olha Martynyshyn, and Best Editing.
Because today, Ukrainian defenders are protecting more than our cities and borders. They are protecting life itself — our children and families, our homes, our culture, our land and every living being on it.
Animals in War reveals another dimension of this war — the lives of those who did not choose it and cannot describe what they have endured in words. At the same time, these are stories about people who, even amid destruction and danger, continue to rescue, care and remain human.
On 29 September, we will gather at Kino Sõprus to watch this special film and thank our defenders — those thanks to whom Ukraine lives and millions of lives still have a chance to be saved.
