Feature film project
The Lock
After refusing to immigrate to the UK with his mother, a young war veteran returns to South‑East Ukraine — and he and his closest friend confront a society drifting into indifference as the war stagnates in 2018.
A psychological drama about trauma, accessibility, and the cost of living as if nothing is happening.
What The Lock is
Petro, recently wheelchair-bound, and his best friend Andrii return home to South Ukraine in 2018, four years after Russia destabilised their country. The war in Eastern Ukraine stagnates, never coming to a full halt. Petro's mother, now a mail-order bride in the UK, wants him to leave Ukraine for safety — but Petro refuses.
Trying to settle back into civilian life, Petro becomes obsessed with fixing a broken gate lock in his residential area — a screeching sound that triggers memories of the warzone where he was injured. His neighbours are indifferent, making excuses to avoid responsibility. Petro feels he risked his life for people who won't even fix a basic safety issue.
Meanwhile, Andrii struggles with guilt — believing he should have been the one injured instead of Petro. He tries to be Petro's legs, unaware of his own trauma. When he begins dating, he discovers that everything might not be as easy as he wishes. Both young men visit people and places from their lives before the war, only to learn that many Ukrainians refuse to honour their service — some even blame them for the ongoing chaos.
Why this project matters
Ukraine has largely disappeared from European and American news platforms, whilst the war is ongoing. Without agency in international media coverage, Ukraine risks being misrepresented and simplified by those who capitalise on its image.
This film provides unique detail on everyday Ukrainian life in the 2010s, bridging the gap in understanding Ukrainians on an individual level. It advocates for accessible and inclusive spaces by demonstrating the brutal reality disabled people face when their needs are not catered to — from physical disabilities that impair mobility to debilitating effects of untreated post-traumatic stress.
As Ukrainian filmmakers with first-hand experience on the film's complex subject matter, we believe that the growth of a nation comes from reflection. This film speaks of universal experiences while honouring the specific context of a society locked in a cycle of dependence and lack of agency as a nation that finally came to be after centuries of occupation.
Latest updates
BFI application in progress
We're currently preparing our application for BFI funding support, working with industry advisors to strengthen our development package.
Producer conversations underway
Active discussions with potential co-producers and production partners who share our vision for authentic, character-driven storytelling.
Creative materials refined
Our pitch deck, screenplay, and visual references have been refined with input from industry professionals and cultural consultants.
Help move the project forward
We're seeking funding partners, co-producers, and industry collaborators who believe in authentic, character-driven cinema. Your support helps us bring this important story to screen with the care and credibility it deserves.
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