Losses
Jonasz Chlebowski and Antoni Rakusa, photographed by Piotr Sobik
Losses (working title) is a documentary film directed by the duo Jonasz Chlebowski (DP, sound) and Antoni Rakusa (sound engineer, boom) in eastern Ukraine.
The film explores the most primal and fundamental dimension of war—loss. It examines loss on both a personal level and in terms of society, territory, and identity. Our primary focus is on the civilian population of the Donbas region, affected by war since 2014 and now one of the most intense frontlines. Through the perspectives of selected guides, we navigate this reality, concentrating on the deeply personal experience of life under direct threat. We seek to capture the essence of existence in such conditions—a task we acknowledge as immensely challenging, yet achievable through deep and ethical engagement. This commitment also shapes our empirical approach; at present, we have chosen to settle permanently in one of the frontline towns.
Formally, we approach the film with a poetic sensibility, striving to convey the tensions, tremors, and atmosphere of this reality. In a way, we also personify the Donbas—its mystical steppes, industrial culture, and historical depth, all of which resonate powerfully in the face of war.
Sound has become a crucial element of our exploration. The ever-present noise of war—gunfire, explosions, windows rattling from shockwaves, the hum of drones, the crackle of flames—pricks at this reality. These sounds often imprint themselves in memory more deeply than images, triggering involuntary nervous responses and shaping trauma.
By utilizing LOM microphones, such as the Geofon, we see an opportunity to capture the depth of this soundscape—not merely as an effect, but as a tool for rigorous, investigative documentary practice.