Defiant (2023 film)

Defiant is a 2023 internationally co-produced documentary film directed and produced by Karim Amer. It follows the Russian invasion of Ukraine, focusing on Dmytro Kuleba and others fighting disinformation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Defiant
Directed byKarim Amer
Produced by
Cinematography
  • Jake Swantko
  • Misha Lubarsky
  • Michael Downey
  • Bowie Alexander
Edited by
  • Emiliano Battista
  • Austin Reedy
  • Zackary Obid
Music byKatya Mihailova
Production
companies
  • Tales Of Others
  • Roast Beef Productions
  • Channel 4
Release date
  • September 9, 2023 (2023-09-09) (TIFF)
Running time
99 minutes[1]
Countries
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
  • Ukraine
Languages
  • English
  • Russian
  • Ukrainian

It had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2023.

Plot

The film follows the Russian invasion of Ukraine, focusing on Dmytro Kuleba and others fighting disinformation. Rustem Umierov, Mykhailo Fedorov, Iryna Vereshchuk also appear in the film, as they return to work, focus on restoring Ukraine's internet, and tour cities liberated from occupation, respectively.

Production

Initially, Karim Amer was introduced to Rustem Umerov, who cut their meeting short, in order to meet with Pope Francis, to deliver a message from Volodymyr Zelenskyy.[2] Showing that Amer and his team of producers, Mike Lerner and Odessa Rae, were interested, they began filming. Instead of focusing on the front lines, Amer chose to focus on the individuals dealing with diplomacy and disinformation.[3][4] Due to the ongoing conflict, the filmmakers thought the project would be a series, but due to the fading interest in political filmmaking from investors, this idea was scrapped.[2] The film was picture locked prior to the firing of former defense minister Oleksii Reznikov.[2]

Release

It had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2023.[5]

References
  1. "Defiant". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  2. Grobar, Jason (September 9, 2023). "Defiant's Karim Amer and Mike Lerner on Ukraine and the Fight Against Fascism". POV. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  3. Ritman, Alex (September 9, 2023). "Toronto Hidden Gem: Following a Wartime Government in Real Time in Ukraine Doc 'Defiant'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  4. Mullen, Pat (August 9, 2023). "Thom Powers on the Buzz and Biz of TIFF Docs". POV Magazine. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  5. "Defiant". 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
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