"We Want to Change the Rhetoric About Ukrainian Warriors": Mykhailo Uhman on the Film "Omega"
Ukrainian cinema about the war is often associated with pain, losses, and heavy stories. But is it possible to talk about war differently — through the strength, character, and daily work of Ukrainian soldiers? This is the change in rhetoric that film producer and co-writer Mykhailo Uhman seeks to propose.
His path to cinema did not begin with film school. For years, he worked as a journalist, was a volunteer, stayed at the front, communicated with the military, and documented their work. Even before the full-scale invasion, Uhman was convinced: Ukraine must tell the world stories about its army itself.
“I didn’t understand why my colleagues weren’t making great military films like the Americans and Europeans do,” he recalls.
From Journalism to Cinema
In 2018, Mykhailo, together with his friend Serhiy Konoval, an officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a volunteer, began a series of documentary shootings. They traveled around Ukraine at their own expense, with the support of volunteers, collecting stories of the military and working where it was already necessary to talk much more about the war.
One of these stories was the Donetsk airport. While on positions with the soldiers of the 80th brigade near Donetsk, Uhman heard the stories of the direct participants in the battles and met real cyborgs.
That's when the idea of creating a feature film arose.
For two years, the team collected materials, communicated with eyewitnesses and the military. As a result, about 36 hours of video materials were collected.
“If you want to set an example, take it, create it yourself,” — this is the principle by which Uhman explains the decision not to wait for someone else to start making Ukrainian military films.
An important part of this journey was working with people who were already creating Ukrainian cinema. Among them were Oleg Sentsov, Akhtem Seitablaiev, actress Larysa Rusnak, and other representatives of the film industry. According to Uhman, practical work alongside them became a kind of school for him.
From Pain to Strength
Today, Uhman talks about the need to change the approach to Ukrainian military cinema.
He acknowledges that his early works were sentimental and often focused on pain and emotions. But now, he says, the team aims to show something else — the strength of Ukrainian soldiers, their professionalism, character, and ability to perform extremely complex tasks at a high level.
“We want to completely change the rhetoric about Ukrainian warriors. I understand, war is pain, but such heroism, such fantastic things that our warriors do, we must show this,” says the producer.
With this approach, the team created the documentary film "Omega," which will be released in Ukrainian cinemas on October 1, 2026, and will be shown outside its borders starting in November.
How "Omega" Was Born
The idea for the film arose back in 2022. Mykhailo Uhman says that long before that, while working at the front, he lived and worked alongside servicemen from various special units.
Among them were representatives of the Kulchytsky Battalion, "Donbas," "Azov," and "Omega" units. According to him, the work of these units was talked about much less at the time than some other Ukrainian special services and military formations.
It was then that he first thought about showing their work on screen.
Producer Olena Yakovenko and director Yulia Orlenko joined the realization of the idea. The project received support from the State Film Agency, and later partners and representatives of Ukrainian business and culture joined its creation and promotional campaign.
Uhman emphasizes the role of two "Omega" officers — Andriy Prymachenko and Bismarck.
Andriy Prymachenko died during a shelling. According to the producer, he really wanted to see this film. Bismarck was also one of those who supported the idea of creating the film for several years.
Without Interviews and "Staging"
"Omega" differs from classic documentary films. There are no typical interviews where heroes sit in front of the camera and tell their story.
Director Yulia Orlenko proposed building the film on observation.
The film crew spent a long time just being around the soldiers until they got used to the presence of cameras. Later, the team went to the front with them. Once, the film crew even came under a drone attack and had to hide.
Soldiers were filmed during tasks, training, work in the headquarters, preparation, and return from missions. Part of the material was also shot live by the soldiers on their GoPros.
“No interviews. It's all a film composed of live observations,” explains Uhman.
At the center of the story is a soldier with the call sign Artist. He is not only a fighter but a person who has a family, loves, waits, and protects his children. At the same time, he becomes a friend, father, mentor, and teacher for his comrades.
Through this story, the creators wanted to show that behind the image of a soldier performing complex combat tasks, there is always a living person.
“It Definitely Won't Be Sad”
After the Ukrainian release, "Omega" is planned to be shown abroad. In October, the film is set to participate in a film festival in Poland, and from November, the team is working on charity screenings in other countries. Among the planned destinations are the USA, Canada, Italy, and the United Kingdom. One of the screenings in Detroit is already confirmed.
For Uhman, the international audience is especially important. He wants the film to be seen not only by Ukrainians but also by representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora and foreign viewers.
The producer is also convinced that Ukrainian cinema about the war should communicate with the outside world not only in the language of pain. His position is that the world needs to see the strength of Ukrainian soldiers and the scale of what they do on the front.
The team has other equally interesting projects ahead.
And for now, the first test for "Omega" will be meeting the audience
“They haven't seen a film like this yet. I understand they've seen documentary films, I understand they've seen various feature films, but this will be new for the audience,” says Mykhailo Uhman.
He doesn't want to reveal all the details of the film, urging viewers to simply come to the cinema.
“It definitely won't be sad. People will laugh and be proud. It will be cool.”
