Kyiv Soloists

February 23, 2022. The fourteen musicians of the Ukrainian chamber orchestra Kyiv Soloists embark on a short tour of Italy. That same night, Russia invades their homeland. From afar, they watch with fear and anxiety as events unfold in their home country. In the space of one night, they change from musicians to refugees; when - if ever - will they be able to return? They decide to continue their tour and even extend and expand it. For a year, they draw attention to the war in Ukraine from stages across Europe, while spreading their culture and message of peace. During the concerts, they put on a brave face, but behind the scenes they are deeply concerned, missing their families, friends, partners, and children, and wondering what the future holds. Where will they go when the tour ends? 

In Kyiv Soloists, director Trond Kvig captures the musicians from the moment they read the first reports of the invasion on the tour bus. He captures them during their conversations in the dressing rooms and shows footage of their concerts. They end up in Bodø, Norway, where they have found temporary accommodation and from where they must each go their separate ways.

(Co-)producers Karianne Berge (IndieFilm) and Iris Lammertsma (Witfilm) will be present for a post-screening discussion on Friday. Kyiv Soloists is part of the ‘Filmmakers at Risk’ selection at the Noordelijk Film Festival, together with five other films from different program lines and the panel on Friday afternoon: Filmmaking at Risk: The World is Watching.