# Der lange Februar - Was geschah in Butscha? (2025)

**Genres:** Documentary

**Duration:** 79 min

**IMDb:** [link](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt43674273/) (n/a)

## Description

The Long February opens with an extended sequence of private recordings documenting the Russian airborne assault on Hostomel Airport on 24 February 2022. Told entirely through the perspective of local residents and without narration, the opening immerses the audience in the confusion, fear and overwhelming uncertainty of the first hours of Russia's full-scale invasion. Rather than explaining the events, the film allows viewers to experience them as civilians did: suddenly, without warning, and with little understanding of what was unfolding around them. Filmed one year after the liberation of the Bucha region, the documentary tells the story of the Russian occupation through the eyes of those who survived it. The Bucha region became known worldwide after evidence emerged of widespread killings of civilians by Russian forces during the occupation in the spring of 2022. Rather than focusing on military operations or battlefield strategy, The Long February examines the human consequences of these events and the lasting impact they continue to have on those who lived through them. As Russian troops occupied Hostomel, Bucha and the surrounding towns, families found themselves trapped without electricity, running water or reliable communication. Survival became a daily struggle. Through deeply personal testimonies, the protagonists recount the first days of the invasion, the fear of shelling, the uncertainty of not knowing whether loved ones were still alive, and the impossible decisions they faced while trying to protect themselves and those around them. The documentary follows a diverse group of witnesses, including civilians, volunteers, police officer Vadym Subotin, who remained in occupied Bucha throughout the occupation, and singer Nataliia Fitkevich. Their individual stories reveal different perspectives on the occupation while forming a collective portrait of a community confronted with extraordinary violence. Several protagonists share their experiences publicly for the first time. Among them are survivors who lost husbands, siblings, close relatives, friends and neighbors during the occupation, illustrating the devastating human cost behind the events that made Bucha a symbol of the war. Music also becomes part of the narrative, as Nataliia Fitkevich and her choir contribute to the film's soundtrack, reflecting the role of culture in preserving hope, dignity and identity in times of war. Director Michael Stadnik's family ties to the neighboring city of Irpin provided him with exceptional access to the region. He earned the trust of people who had never before shared their experiences publicly, allowing the documentary to preserve testimonies that might otherwise have remained unheard. Combined with private archival footage recorded during the first weeks of the invasion—much of it previously unseen—the film presents an intimate perspective that reaches beyond conventional news coverage. Rather than ending with the liberation of Bucha, The Long February follows its protagonists as they continue rebuilding their lives. The documentary explores how survivors cope with trauma, grief and profound personal loss while also revealing the remarkable resilience that allows them to move forward. By allowing time to pass before the interviews were conducted, the film moves beyond immediate reactions and offers a deeply reflective portrait of remembrance, healing and endurance. By bringing together previously untold testimonies with intimate archival footage, The Long February becomes more than a chronicle of the occupation. It is a film about memory, resilience and the invisible aftermath of war. The title reflects the film's central idea: while the occupation of Bucha came to an end, the war did not. For the people of Bucha—and for millions of Ukrainians—the February that began with Russia's full-scale invasion has never truly ended. The Long February is their story.

## Details

**Premiere:** 10 Oct 2026 (in 4 days)

**Director:** Michael Stadnik

**Countries:** Germany

**Languages:** Ukrainian, English, Russian, German

**Available versions:** OmU

**Open-air showtimes:** No

## Showtimes in Hamburg in original language (OV, OmU, OmeU)

### 2026-10-10 (Saturday)

- **[Abaton](https://hamburg.ov-berlin.info/cinemas/147-abaton.md) (Eimsbüttel):** [2026-10-10 13:00](https://www.kinoheld.de/kino/hamburg/abaton-kino-hamburg/vorstellung/586020)  (OmU)