Documentary

IRON

Documentary
IRON
The film consists of interconnected etudes about humans and military equipment in cities of different countries, while the war in Ukraine has shaken up the entire world and influences everything and everyone, no matter how far from the battle-fronts or whether the air raid sirens can be heard.

Military vehicles – noticed or unnoticed, publicly displayed or ignored – have always been present in cities as echoes and witnesses of some war. They have a distinctive bond with the history, the people, and the ongoing events and tragedies. The attitude toward these iron beasts reveals much about individuals and society. They can be seen in countries that have induced wars and those that have been invaded. In countries that have triumphed and those still recovering from the wounds of defeat. In countries that feel confident in their power and those struggling with the consequences of occupations.

Poland, Azerbaijan, Russia, Estonia, Germany, Ukraine… In some cities of these countries, military vehicles are brought in for parades, in some others – used for exhibitions or fairs. They also serve as a festivity decoration or are placed on pedestals as a constant reminder. Both the elderly and youngsters lay flowers by them in places where war is still a symbol of power and national pride. At the same time, elsewhere, both the elderly and youngsters come to see the destroyed military equipment of the aggressor state. Or just line up for an idyllic photo shoot with the means acquired by the state to protect them.
Festivals and prizes
World premiere and regional premieres
Crew
Director
Vitaly Mansky

DoP
Valdis Celmiņš

Co-cinematography
Ivan Fomichenko, Vitaly Mansky, Matvey Troshinkin, Dmitry Kabakov

Sound designer
Aleksandrs Vaicahovskis

Editing
Matvey Troshinkin

Producer
Natalia Manskaia (Vertov, Latvia)

Co-producers
Filip Remunda, Vit Klusak, Tereza Horska
(Hypermarket Film/Czech Republic),
Natalia Khazan (Braha Production Company)

Studios
Vertov, Hypermarket Film, Braha Production Company

Supported by
National Film Centre of Latvia



The Iron (Dzelzs)
2024
39 min

Language
Ukrainian, Polish, Russian, German, Azerbaijani

Subtitles
English
Distribution
For film screening inquiries, please contact
Natalia Manskaia
natalia@artdocfest.com
Stills from the film
Behind the scenes photos
Photos from festivals and screenings
Made on
Tilda