Viktor, a young deaf man with lofty ambitions, resides in Kharkiv with his mother. He yearns to become a professional photographer but faces limitations due to his deafness and prejudice. When the Russian military invades Ukraine, Viktor’s life is cracked open. Seeking a medical certificate to enlist, Viktor visits his doctor, who declines to falsely certify him as fit for service. Viktor then takes on the responsibility of providing food aid to the deaf community. He gets hired to photograph a unit of soldiers, led by Sergey, who’s impressed by Viktor. Encouraged, Viktor asks to join his ranks, but no, he’ll never hear Sergey’s commandments on the battlefield. With his camera, Viktor then travels to the frontline to document the war. Disillusioned by the horrors captured with his lens, Viktor no longer romanticizes the life of a soldier. With newfound perspective, Viktor reconnects with life back home. He’s grown up now. While he hasn’t totally abandoned his fantasies, he finally accepts the realities of his life.
