Writing
Daremno
A metaphysical thriller set in the war in Ukraine.
EXT. RUINS OF A VILLAGE - TWILIGHT
FADING FROM BLACK:
A destroyed home huddles under a black sky, rendered in soft moonlight but evading clear definition. Wooden joinery stands alone. Burnt rubble climbs up fractured brick walls. A door leads nowhere. No one lives here anymore.
The sounds of a lively household fade in, clashing with the desolation of the image. Dishes ring against each other, a faucet hisses, a gameshow blares on the TV. The visual remains still, unchanging.
ARTEM (UKRAINIAN)
Poltergeist.
TV (UKRAINIAN)
Ah ... No idea, frankly! Oh no! Sorry Yevgeny, the answer was “Poltergeist.” You’ll get the next one.
ARTEM (UKRAINIAN)
How do they find people this stupid?
YANA (UKRAINIAN)
It wouldn’t be fun if they were smart.
A kitchen timer goes off.
ARTEM (UKRAINIAN)
Opaaaa!
YANA (UKRAINIAN)
Kolya! .. Kolya, turn off the game.
KOLYA (UKRAINIAN)
(Under his breath)
You turn off the TV.
YANA (UKRAINIAN)
Come get di–
A distant explosion. Gunfire ensues with it. Yana sighs.
ARTEM (UKRAINIAN)
F###. Can’t they wait until morning?
YANA (UKRAINIAN)
Come eat! (To Artem, quietly) Go bring the bikes inside.
ARTEM (UKRAINIAN)
How would that help?
Shuffling is heard, a door opens and shuts as we hear Kolya leave his bedroom to enter the living room.
KOLYA (UKRAINIAN)
Uncle needs a curfew. He always wakes up the whole neighborhood.
ARTEM (UKRAINIAN)
...I agree. He’ll be done soon. He’s a good shot. Better than me.
KOLYA (UKRAINIAN)
I’m not hungry.
YANA (UKRAINIAN)
Kolya, you need to eat.
ARTEM (UKRAINIAN)
Don’t let them starve you.
A pause. Artem’s attention returns to the TV, his coping mechanism. He vacantly chuckles.
KOLYA (UKRAINIAN)
Shouldn’t it be over by now?
ARTEM (UKRAINIAN)
We can change the channel, Kolya. I thought you liked this show.
KOLYA (UKRAINIAN)
I mean the war.
ARTEM (UKRAINIAN)
Ah.
KOLYA (UKRAINIAN)
How much longer will it last?
ARTEM (UKRAINIAN)
Just a month or so, I hope...
YANA (UKRAINIAN)
How could anyone fight for longer than that?...