The first Ukrainian war-chronicle film, “Stay Online”, is set to hit theatres on March 28, just a few days before the second anniversary of the liberation of several localities in the Kyiv region from Russian occupation on 2 April 2022. The film follows the story of Katya, a young volunteer who jumps into action from the onset of the major invasion. Against her own expectations, she embarks on a mission to save lives in the occupied city of Bucha, all while staying connected online through a notebook screen.
Katya, a volunteer, receives a laptop to help Ukrainian soldiers track the enemy’s movements. Curiosity leads the girl to explore the correspondence of the device’s owner, where she learns that his name is Andriy, and he has an 8-year-old son, Sava, who strongly believes in superheroes and, above all, dreams of finding his parents, with whom he lost contact during the evacuation. So Katya becomes a real superhero for the boy, battling evil in the depths of the internet network.
“Stay Online” is a story about all of us: those who have done the impossible to save themselves, their loved ones, and their country. The same Katya lives within each of us: in the doctors performing incredibly complex surgeries near the frontlines, in the volunteers evacuating civilians from the front-line territories, risking their lives, in the municipal services personnel who, within hours after Russian attacks, deal with the consequences, and in those who, through their creativity, inspire the fight and share Ukrainian culture worldwide.
The film was shot in the spring and summer of 2022, right after the Kyiv region was liberated from Russian occupation. The scenes that shocked the internet and turned into documentaries were seamlessly integrated into the film’s narrative. For instance, the bombed (now partially restored) “Irpinski Lypky” residential complex. Ordinary residents of the city also joined in, readily granting permission to film their destroyed property. The film crew received support from the military, with volunteer organisations pitching in as well, providing filming locations and necessary specialised clothing. This collaborative effort, driven by the shared understanding of the importance of capturing current events on film, gave birth to Ukraine’s first screenlife film. It serves as a reminder of the significance of coming together for a common cause and always staying connected online.
The film’s producers also reveal that 20% of the earnings will be donated to the “Come Back Alive” Army Assistance Fund. These funds will be used to provide communication devices for the military, enabling them to stay online for as long as needed for Ukraine’s victory. Additionally, the fund, in collaboration with the producers, has initiated a “Stay Online and Return Alive!” fundraising campaign to gather 2 million hryvnias (approx. $50,934 – ed.).
