With the ongoing war in Ukraine, filmmakers face a critical ethical question: Should they create movies about the conflict while it is still unfolding?
Ethical Considerations
Respect for Victims - A film about the war should honor those affected rather than exploit their suffering. The pain and loss experienced by real people should not be trivialized or sensationalized for entertainment.
Accuracy and Responsibility - Wars are often surrounded by misinformation. Any movie that claims to be factual must be thoroughly researched to avoid spreading misleading narratives.
Timing and Sensitivity - A film released while the war is ongoing may seem opportunistic. However, documentaries or movies that contribute to humanitarian awareness can be justifiable and beneficial.
Perspective Matters - A responsible film would focus on the human impact of war—civilians, refugees, and those seeking peace—rather than glorifying violence or war itself.
Intent and Funding - What is the purpose of the film? Is it to inform, advocate for peace, or help those affected? If the motivation is purely for profit, ethical concerns become even more significant.
What's your take on this? I am fully involved in a project that faces these dilemmas, have a look at this article: https://www.firestarterfilmstudio.com/news/ let me know what you think.
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Great points, Willem Elzenga, and I agree! I wrote a short script about Covid a while back, and I've been waiting for the right time to pitch it. The script is about Covid, but it's really about not being selfish. That's the main focus of the script.
Congratulations on collaborating with Erik-Jan de Boer and John Clive Carter to direct the film! It sounds interesting! I'm looking forward to seeing the film!
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I read the synopsis, Willem Elzenga. It sounds like you're focusing on a singular character and not nec on war itself as a theme or maybe even making a statement about this particular war. It sounds like the bravery of one person rising from the ashes of war which is always a good thing no matter what your perspective is on this one. You're not glorifying the war.
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Are television shows that exploit crimes for the sake of ratings ethical? We still watch them. I've wondered that filming for national tv shows. It's entertainment business. On a personal level, I think it's terrible what people are going through with the war, on both sides. I'm sure many don't want to be part of it.
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100%! It's all about context. Think of the message behind a film like All Quiet on the Western Front.
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This is such an important discussion, Willem Elzenga! I think it all comes down to the respect and care that the filmmaker has for the subject matter. If the film is being made with integrity, focusing on truth, honoring those affected, and not exploiting the tragedy, it can serve as a powerful tool for awareness and education.
Timing is definitely a key factor, but so is intent. Some of the most impactful war films have been made while conflicts were still ongoing, especially when they shed light on untold stories or help generate humanitarian support. At the same time, there’s always the risk of sensationalizing events or distorting reality, which is why research, accuracy, and ethical storytelling choices matter.
I would love to hear more about how your team is approaching these challenges.
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Thanks all you guys for your respons. Ashley Renee Smith normally we would lock the screenplay in order to get it produced. We have now decided to leave it open for development untill we're going to break it down. Next to that we're involved in following the news, for me mainly written press which is more thorough. Also the project has a rather large marketing budget with which we can position the project in an 'ethical way'. Both the writer producer and myself have a lot of experience in marketing and advertising for which we should have much understanding of timing and bringing the film to an audience in a good way.
Maurice Vaughan its a great team, both Erik and I have worked for Jan de Bont and are from the Netherlands. John is from Seatle but lives in London, we met here on S32. Currenlty we're in the casting process and working a little on vfx.
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You're welcome, Willem Elzenga. That's great that you met John on Stage 32! Is the film going to have a lot of vfx?
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Maurice Vaughan if you include all the the cgi animations, yes it will have quite some vfx.
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I'm excited to see the film, Willem Elzenga! Let me know when the promotion material is ready, and I'll share it on social media if you like.
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I like the concerns you've brought up about this, I think art is always a reflection of reality, and therefore it's ok to make a movie about an ongoing war. I'd only add that any film about the war in Ukraine is only worthwhile, in my eyes, if it really has something bold to say beyond acknowledging tragedy, and if it understands that all art is political, while also acknowledging the long and complicated history between Ukraine and Russia, and what role America has played in the current invasion.
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There are other perspective you could write about instead of the actual, physical war itself. For example, global responsibility of this war, financial responsibility, and responsibility of an alliance. Write about the envirnoment surrounding this war.
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Stories are needed to bring the world together and only telling stories in hindsight may be limiting. I think films can be made and, I agree, that an extremely responsible POV is of the utmost importance. A Stage 32 educator, who has also worked on other Stage 32 education, Nick Waters, made a documentary about Ukranian dancers at the beginning of the war that raised awareness and brought a humanity to the screen that we didn't always see on the news. I think of the film often as this war rages on.