Mariinka (+SDH)
dir. Pieter-Jan de Pue / 2026 / Belgium, Netherlands, Germany / 95 min
“Mariinka” begins long before the full-scale Russian invasion. In eastern Ukraine, it follows several young Ukrainians whose lives have been shaped by over a decade of conflict in Donbas.
During the war, a promising female boxer becomes a medic, while another young woman works as a courier, smuggling goods across the front line. Like a Greek tragedy, two brothers stand on opposing sides of the conflict, while the youngest brother lives safely in a foster family in the United States. Through letters, video calls, and quiet encounters, the film examines belonging, national loyalty, and divisions that can override even blood ties. “Mariinka” carries an almost biblical resonance, portraying the slow disappearance of a city and the tragic resilience of those who once called it home.
- duration:
- 95 min
- country / year of production:
- Belgium, Netherlands, Germany / 2026
- director:
- Pieter-Jan de Pue
- cinematography:
- Pieter-Jan de Pue
- selected festivals and awards:
- 2026 – CPH:DOX Copenhagen
- sections:
- competitions:
- tags:
