Film Production: The Journey of Hope and Resilience

This is a story of hope, resilience, and indomitable will. From the battlefields of Ukraine to the roof of Africa, five heroes are rewriting the definition of impossible. Four amputee soldiers and a severely wounded female sniper embark on an awe-inspiring expedition to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Second Wind documents the raw, inner transformations: overcoming pain, rethinking the trauma of war, and finding power in brotherhood. Their journey is more than a physical feat; it is a profound act of defiance and a powerful symbol of a nation's struggle, of the hope emerging from the ashes of war, and a universal testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

This film aims to inspire. It replaces pity with admiration. War fatigue with human triumph. Resignation with action.

Watch the Trailer

CORE TEAM

Woman posing confidently against a textured dark wall wearing a sheer black blouse and gray skirt.

director

principal DoP

Masha Kondakova is a French-Ukrainian filmmaker known for both documentary and fiction. Her short film November premiered at Locarno and won 15 international awards. She was among the first to document women at war in Inner Wars, distributed globally via ARTE, ZDF, and Canal+. A passionate advocate for Ukrainian veterans and a bridge to European audiences.

Photographer with telephoto lens inside a safari vehicle capturing wildlife.

principal DoP

Serhiy Mykhalchuk is one of Ukraine’s most respected cinematographers, recipient of the Silver Bear (Berlin Film Festival). Now an active service member. Sergei was temporarily released for filming, before being redeployed. Known for “Dovbush” and “I, Nina.”

Man in outdoor gear standing in a mountainous landscape.

producer

principal DoP

producer

Gena Gazin – is an Ukrainian-born American executive and philanthropist. Founder of If Not Now, Then When (ifnotnowua.org), the film’s main sponsor. Former telecom and defense engineer —now dedicated to helping the people defending Ukraine. A mountaineer whose several recent near-death experiences pushed him toward a life of purpose and service.

THE HEROES

Young woman with braided hair and cap hiking in a green forest.

Olga "VYSOTA" Yehorova

Joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the day of the full-scale invasion, rising from clerical officer to second-class sniper. Fought in multiple battles, sustaining two severe combat injuries in 2023.

Man with a mustache wearing a bucket hat and backpack in a forest.

Vladyslav "SHATYA" Shatilo

Active-duty serviceman, Joined volunteer battalion "Chernihiv" at 18, serving in Luhansk Oblast. Served with Azov Special Purpose Detachment (2015-2019) on the Mariupol frontline and Svitlodarsk Bulge, sustaining injuries leading to his discharge. Mobilized with Chernihiv Border Guard Unit in February 2022, participating in the defense of Chernihiv.

Smiling man with a beard outdoors in a green forest setting.

Mykhailo "GRIZLI" Matviyev

Served in the OMEGA special forces unit since 2021. Lost his lower leg to an anti-personnel mine while clearing enemy positions. Now serving as a combat drone operator.

A bearded man with a backpack in a forested area.

Roman "DOBRYAK" Kolesnyk

Joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the start of the full-scale invasion. Lost his lower leg to a tank shell fragment during a successful assault. Now an ambassador to the Second Wind veteran's movement and a rapper.

Young man with curly hair smiling outdoors in a green setting.

Oleksandr "RAGNAR" Mikhov

Graduated with a gold medal from the National Guard Academy (2015), later joining the special unit "Omega." Served from the start of the full-scale invasion. Rank- Major. Lost his leg in 2023. Became Ukrainian Para Jiu-Jitsu Champion (Oct. 2024) and World Jiu-Jitsu silver medalist (Nov. 2024).

KEY FACTS

- Released in Ukraine in October 2025 – following eleven-month idea to the final cut production timeframe. Theatrical run at over 50% of (working) Ukrainian theaters. Currently available on local streaming platforms.

- To date, limited invite-only screenings in key Western capitals and cities as part of diplomatic outreach (2025 – Washington, NYC, London, Tel-Aviv, Stockholm). https://www.cbsnews.com/news/for-ukraines-war-wounded-an-appeal-for-help-and-hope/, https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Eo5mEkC1J/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://vimeo.com/1144646457/a7c5c18a5a?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

- Pre-viewed at the NATO summit dedicated to the 3rd year anniversary of full scale Russian invasion. Full NATO screening planned for the 4th anniversary

- The film is independently produced by an Ukrainian-French team. All rights belong to an Ukrainian nonprofit IfNotNowThenWhen – https://ifnotnowua.org/en

- 3 out of 5 heroes continue as active service members

- Post-production, the team created an Ukrainian non-profit, Second Wind Foundation – https://www.secondwind.club/en/home/. The foundation helps veterans with amputations to recover through structured participation in sports such as rafting, indoor rock climbing, mountain trekking.

Watch the Trailer

Film Production: The Journey of Hope and Resilience

CORE TEAM

director

principal DoP

principal DoP

principal DoP

principal DoP

principal DoP

producer

principal DoP

producer

THE HEROES

Olga "VYSOTA" Yehorova

Vladyslav "SHATYA" Shatilo

Mykhailo "GRIZLI" Matviyev

Roman "DOBRYAK" Kolesnyk

Oleksandr "RAGNAR" Mikhov

KEY FACTS

SELECTED PRESS

Social

This website uses cookies.