Across the next 100 minutes, the camera barely moves from this spot.
We dont see any warfare but we hear it.
Soldiers are attacked and Russian bombs are launched.
Oleh SentsovLaurent Van der Stockt for Le Monde/Getty Images.
The immediate contemporary comparison, in terms of form, would be Jonathan Glazers unwavering Oscar-winnerThe Zone Of Interest.
Unlike Glazers fiction movie, however,Realwas captured unintentionally by Sentsov on his official military helmet camera.
He found the footage months later on his laptop.
But then I started watching it.
It was very interesting to me.
Then I tried to show it to other people and they were also interested.
Thats when we decided to publish it.
This military event on the Ukrainian-Russian front line positions was given the code name Real.
The film is a co-production between Propeler Film and Downey Ink.
The producers are Denis Ivanov, Oleh Sentsov, Mike Downey, Boris Matic, and Lana Matic.
DEADLINE:Oleh, firstly, how are you?
OLEH SENTSOV:Im fine.
Right now, Im at home with my family in Kyiv.
Im on annual leave from the military.
And this evening, Im going to Karlovy Vary for the premiere of the movie.
So right now Im feeling much better than I usually would if I were in the Donbas.
DEADLINE:What is the mood like where you are?
SENTSOV:Kyiv is one world, and Donbas and the front lines are a different world.
Kyiv is almost like a peaceful city if you dont count the air alerts and occasional missile attacks.
But Kyiv is very well protected with anti-missile systems.
DEADLINE:This film is incredibly successful at transporting the viewer into the unpredictable world of war.
And that is largely thanks to its form.
But you describe Real as an accident.
Can you explain why?
But then I started watching it.
It was very interesting to me because I was there and it was very personal.
But then I tried to show it to other people and they were also interested.
Thats when we decided to publish it.
There was no video editing, so it is just everything that the GoPro shot that day.
We did some sound editing because GoPro shoots sound very poorly.
So we needed to amplify certain sounds to match the reality.
DEADLINE:What do you hope audiences in Karlovy Vary and beyond will take from the film?
SENTSOV:To be honest, Im not very concerned about it.
But I believe everyone who wants to see the film will be able to.
DEADLINE:Was it difficult to get authorization from the military to release this footage?
SENTSOV:From your question, its clear youre from a country of rule of law.
In general, we are not that kind of country.
Procedures dont work in our country.
Getting official approvals in Ukraine is very bureaucratic and its nearly impossible.
The military and political leadership of Ukraine would have never approved the release of this movie.
So in this case, I use my judgment.
Im not disclosing any sensitive intelligence or military secrets.
No information could harm people from the military or my country.
DEADLINE:How will you travel to Karlovy Vary?
SENTSOV:It is difficult.
There are no flights to or from Ukraine.
But I do have an official permit to travel.
DEADLINE:Whats next after Karlovy Vary?
Will you report back to the military?
SENTSOV:Of course, Im part of the Ukrainian military, so I follow military orders.
I do what Im told to do.
This little vacation is just a small opportunity for me to get back to my favorite activity.
And when Im talking about my favorite activity, Im not talking just about making movies.
Im also talking about going to festivals and drinking beer.
