Fixer of War
Documentary, Reportage | 29 min | 2024 | NZZ Format, SRF
Eastern Ukraine, March 2024: Renowned photographer Dominic Nahr is travelling through the hard-fought frontline town of Chasiv Yar. The streets are lined with bombed-out houses, and the sound of explosions can be heard in the distance. The small group hurries from one ruin to the next. Always at Dominic Nahr's side: the local fixer Kostia.
This is what the documentary is about: When Russia attacks Kate Rusetska and Kostia Karnoza's hometown of Dnipro, they both immediately realise that they want to do something about it. The ex-soldier and the curator decide to support the thousands of international journalists pouring into the country. They research stories, travel to the front line and translate during interviews with traumatised compatriots.
Their stories are representative of the fate of many Ukrainian fixers. Former pilots, lorry drivers, journalists and artists use their local knowledge to provide indispensable help to war reporters.
NZZ Format offers a personal insight into the lives of Kate and Kostia and accompanies them in their dangerous everyday lives. They talk about what it is like to be constantly confronted with the suffering of the population and why they fear that Ukraine will soon disappear from the international headlines.
This is what the documentary is about: When Russia attacks Kate Rusetska and Kostia Karnoza's hometown of Dnipro, they both immediately realise that they want to do something about it. The ex-soldier and the curator decide to support the thousands of international journalists pouring into the country. They research stories, travel to the front line and translate during interviews with traumatised compatriots.
Their stories are representative of the fate of many Ukrainian fixers. Former pilots, lorry drivers, journalists and artists use their local knowledge to provide indispensable help to war reporters.
NZZ Format offers a personal insight into the lives of Kate and Kostia and accompanies them in their dangerous everyday lives. They talk about what it is like to be constantly confronted with the suffering of the population and why they fear that Ukraine will soon disappear from the international headlines.
Client: NZZ Format | nzz.ch
Writer & Director: Roman Hodel | romanhodel.com
Cinematographer: Lukas Gut | lukasgut.com
Film Editor: Dennis Gnoni Visconti
Music by: Ramon Kramer | ramonkramermusik.de
Sound Studio: Brauerei Sound | brauereisound.ch
Still Images: Dominic Nahr | dominicnahr.com
Color Grading Studio: Kamerawerk | kamerawerk.ch
Colorist: Christian Witschi | kamerawerk.ch/team
Production Company: NZZ Format | nzz.ch
Editorial Office: Nicole Krättli
Head of NZZ Format: Jörg Walch
Writer & Director: Roman Hodel | romanhodel.com
Cinematographer: Lukas Gut | lukasgut.com
Film Editor: Dennis Gnoni Visconti
Music by: Ramon Kramer | ramonkramermusik.de
Sound Studio: Brauerei Sound | brauereisound.ch
Still Images: Dominic Nahr | dominicnahr.com
Color Grading Studio: Kamerawerk | kamerawerk.ch
Colorist: Christian Witschi | kamerawerk.ch/team
Production Company: NZZ Format | nzz.ch
Editorial Office: Nicole Krättli
Head of NZZ Format: Jörg Walch
16:9, Color
"I literally couldn't do my job without a fixer."
Dominic Nahr
Dominic Nahr
"Perhaps the waning interest of the West will be the first sign that we are losing this war."
– Kostia Karnoza
– Kostia Karnoza
For more information about NZZ Format
nzz.ch
nzz.ch