Recommendations from the Kyiv Independent: "Pamfir" (Patreon)

Hi, this is Kateryna Hodunova, a War Desk Reporter at the Kyiv Independent, and welcome to a new edition of Team Recommendations. Today, I'd like to recommend "Pamfir," the feature-length debut of Ukrainian director and screenwriter Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk.

The film follows Leonid, nicknamed "Pamfir," a former smuggler determined to leave his criminal past behind. Living in a village in Bukovyna, a region in western Ukraine bordering Romania and Moldova, he travels abroad for work and cherishes the rare opportunities to return home and spend time with his wife, Olena, and their son, Nazar.

But the life Leonid has built begins to unravel when Nazar, desperate to stop his father from leaving once again, burns his documents. The fire accidentally spreads to the local house of prayer, causing irreparable damage and forcing Leonid to confront the past he believed he had escaped. In an attempt to make amends, "Pamfir" is pulled back into the criminal underworld, putting not only his own future but also the safety and happiness of those he loves at risk.

If the story seems dark, it is because the reality it describes is no less so. Smuggling along the Ukrainian border remains a serious and ongoing issue, with forest rangers, exporters, and private entrepreneurs all playing a role in the region's shadow economy. Those who move valuable cargo often risk their own lives to carry out these operations. It is a hidden side of life in the region, revealing the lengths to which people sometimes go to make a living.

However, this film is about much more than that. It is about complex, flawed characters whose motivations for taking risks are both understandable and deeply human. Leonid is a perfect example: he wants the best for his family but crosses moral boundaries. Whether he should be seen as a hero, an antihero, or something in between is a question the film leaves to the viewer.

Equally important to me is the symbolism that runs throughout the film. The story unfolds on the eve of Malanka, an ancient Ukrainian holiday centered around a ritual in which participants dress as animals and mythological figures. If you have never witnessed this ritual, "Pamfir" is worth watching for its extraordinary climax alone — an unforgettable sequence that is both visually stunning and tense.

I'm not a film critic. I usually write about war or sports, but I can say that "Pamfir" is absolutely worth watching. The film is available on Netflix with English subtitles. There is no English dub, but I have a fun fact for you: I also watched the film with Ukrainian subtitles because the actors speak a local Bukovynian dialect. It adds even more authenticity and atmosphere, so I encourage you to fully immerse yourself in the movie.

I'd be very interested to hear what you think of the film. You can reach me at k.hodunova@kyivindependent.com. Enjoy watching!