Nova Scotia filmmaker documents reality of war in Ukraine

A filmmaker from Nova Scotia, Joshua Saunders, has documented the situation on the front lines in Ukraine, showing the devastating effects of a conflict that has lasted for almost three years.

A text from Stephanie Blanchet

His film, Last Ride Homehighlights an exhausted army, reminding everyone that the war is not over and that suffering continues.

In February 2022, during the full-scale invasion, Joshua Saunders felt a strong obligation to get involved.

I wanted to understand why doctors and paramedics left everything to go to hell on Earth in order to save livesdeclares the filmmaker.

In the film, he crosses the path ofAaron Barkerwho explains to him: I can’t sit at home and watch Netflix while it’s happening.

The American volunteer, a tactical medicine instructor, knew he had the expertise to save lives. This is why he left everything to go to the conflict zones in Ukraine.

Joshua Saunders felt the same urgency. Since the invasion began, he has undertaken three trips to Ukraine, spending a total of 135 days on the ground.

Accompanied by fixers and translators, he explains: On the pitch, every decision was calculated. Of course, there were risks, but my colleagues — who became friends — also put their lives in danger for this film.

His documentary explores the upheaval experienced by Ukrainians. The film focuses in particular on the first responders who transport bodies to the morgue, from which the title of the film derives, Last Ride Home.

It also highlights the sacrifices of fathers who leave their families to defend their homeland in the face of Vladimir Putin’s aggression.

The media has done a good job of showing the realities on the front line, but there are so many soldiers who have left their families behind. What is the impact on these families, who anxiously await their return? wonders Joshua Saunders.

He remembers meeting people who would have loved to attend their children’s first day of school, but who didn’t make it.

Joshua Saunders says he is nervous about showing his work to his family. I’m worried about them seeing this movie, but my family has always been supportive. They know how important these stories are.

The one-hour documentary was self-financed by the director.

The premiere takes place at the Spatz Theater (New window)in Halifax, January 18.

Proceeds from this screening will be donated to the organization Children of Heroeswhich supports Ukrainian children who lost one or more parents in the war.

Katheryna Zosina, public relations officer for the organization based in Kyiv, confirms the partnership with Joshua Saunders.

She emphasizes the importance of maintaining attention on Ukraine at this critical moment. Go to the streets, talk to governments, call attention to the problems hereshe said.

When our organization was founded in 2022 — and even in 2023 — we had media attention. Journalists came here, I gave interviews, but [en 2024] it abruptly stopped. We no longer have answers when we write to themlaments Katheryna Zosina.

Meanwhile, the war continues. She estimates that, every week, the names of around a hundred Ukrainian children are added to the register of those accompanied by Children of Heroes. There are now more than 11,000 children.

Katheryna Zosina is a mother of two children. Her spouse works for the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. We don’t have enough people to fightshe says.

It’s devastatingshe declares. Everyone in Ukraine has lost someone, either on the battlefield or to rocket strikes.

Just last night, she says, drones were flying over her house. It happens daily. We hope this war will end.

Katheryna Zosina also underlines the deep gratitude of Ukrainians for the help received from Canada so far. We appreciate all your donations and the support of your government. Thank you so muchshe said.

With Last Ride HomeJoshua Saunders reminds us that the war in Ukraine is not over. For Katheryna Zosina, the film embodies the hope that the world does not forget this conflict.