Artist Fedor Alexandrovich is a force to be reckoned with in this riveting documentary. As a child he was a resident of Chernobyl when the nuclear disaster happened. As an adult in the Ukraine the rising tensions there compel him to go in search of the answers surrounding the events of 1986. This is a must watch; Alexandrovich is a character that will stay with you. Although Chernobyl is a distant memory to most of us in the West for Alexandrovich and countless other people from the former USSR it has left a lasting legacy of not only physical illness but also mental trauma. The recent events in the Ukraine also get a look in and you get to see what occurred from the point of view of those inside.
22 Reviews
Ukrainian performance artist unable to prove connection between Chernobyl disaster and former Soviet Union's failed radio antenna
Turfseer8 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
From the title of his new documentary, you might come to believe that Chad Gracia is an undercover ornithologist skulking about in the former Soviet Union, attempting to discover a new species of woodpecker. Be assured that this is not exactly what his documentary is about— although he has found an "odd bird" in the guise of one Fedor Alexandrovich, a Ukrainian performance artist, who insists he has discovered the cause of the nuclear accident at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in 1986.
Alexandrovich was temporarily separated from his parents as a child after the Chernobyl disaster and placed in a state run orphanage. Back then it was discovered that he had been poisoned by Strontium-90 radiation and still suffers from health problems related to the Chernobyl explosion.
Alexandrovich's focus is on the Duga over-the-horizon radio antenna which was designed by the Soviets in 1976 to counter what was perceived as American encroachment in the surveillance sphere during the Cold War. The antenna emitted a chopping sound which was dubbed in the west as "The Russian Woodpecker." Some speculated that this was an attempt on the part of the Soviets at mind control but truth be told, the project was considered a failure (the signal was ineffective due to the effect of the Aurora Borealis and had no deleterious consequences in the U.S.).
Alexandrovich goes about interviewing various scientists and aging former Soviet officials (sometimes with a hidden camera) to find out if there was a connection between the Woodpecker and Chernobyl. Of course his interviewees emphatically deny the connection but Alexandrovich, in the spirit of any grand conspiracy theorist here in the U.S., determines that one particular Soviet official (his name escapes me), who was in charge of the Duga radar system, was principally responsible for the Chernobyl disaster. Alexandrovich's accusation comes without a shred of proof and one wonders whether the Soviets would be that stupid to intentionally cause the Chernobyl disaster which would not only eliminate their adversaries but possibly contaminate their own territory due to something as simple as a conglomeration of shifting winds.
The Russian Woodpecker contains some fascinating footage of Chernobyl before and after as well as shots of the monstrous Duga. Alexandrovich doesn't really serve his cause well by prancing around in the deserted Chernobyl ghost town dressed like a pixieish Peter Pan.
Alexandrovich, a self-styled Ukrainian "patriot", is thankfully no nationalist. His critique of both the former Soviet Union and its current incarnation hit the mark especially when we see how he's forced (at the behest of I believe a former KGB operative) to put in a disclaimer at the beginning of the film, indicating he holds no grudge against Russia (Alexandrovich is accused of "selling out" by a colleague who is unable to sympathize despite Alexandrovich's genuine fear that the KGB or other sinister Russian force might do harm to his young son).
Nonetheless, Alexandrovich fails to inject any critiques of his own country Ukraine, notably famous for its long history of anti- semitism (the former president of the Ukrainian Republic, Simon Petlura, is still hailed as a hero in some quarters in the country, despite his links to the atrocious pogroms against the Jews right after World War I).
The documentary ends highlighting the Ukrainian rebellion against the pro-Russian president in 2014. The filmmakers make their point about the dangerous resurgence of Russian nationalism. Nonetheless, there are two sides to a story, and the Ukrainians have their share of nationalists who are just as bad as their Russian counterparts. Chad Gracia is best when he chronicles the past utilizing some neat archival footage. Alexandrovich's conspiracy theory remains unproven and this tends to detract from the overall power of the filmmaker's vision.
Alexandrovich was temporarily separated from his parents as a child after the Chernobyl disaster and placed in a state run orphanage. Back then it was discovered that he had been poisoned by Strontium-90 radiation and still suffers from health problems related to the Chernobyl explosion.
Alexandrovich's focus is on the Duga over-the-horizon radio antenna which was designed by the Soviets in 1976 to counter what was perceived as American encroachment in the surveillance sphere during the Cold War. The antenna emitted a chopping sound which was dubbed in the west as "The Russian Woodpecker." Some speculated that this was an attempt on the part of the Soviets at mind control but truth be told, the project was considered a failure (the signal was ineffective due to the effect of the Aurora Borealis and had no deleterious consequences in the U.S.).
Alexandrovich goes about interviewing various scientists and aging former Soviet officials (sometimes with a hidden camera) to find out if there was a connection between the Woodpecker and Chernobyl. Of course his interviewees emphatically deny the connection but Alexandrovich, in the spirit of any grand conspiracy theorist here in the U.S., determines that one particular Soviet official (his name escapes me), who was in charge of the Duga radar system, was principally responsible for the Chernobyl disaster. Alexandrovich's accusation comes without a shred of proof and one wonders whether the Soviets would be that stupid to intentionally cause the Chernobyl disaster which would not only eliminate their adversaries but possibly contaminate their own territory due to something as simple as a conglomeration of shifting winds.
The Russian Woodpecker contains some fascinating footage of Chernobyl before and after as well as shots of the monstrous Duga. Alexandrovich doesn't really serve his cause well by prancing around in the deserted Chernobyl ghost town dressed like a pixieish Peter Pan.
Alexandrovich, a self-styled Ukrainian "patriot", is thankfully no nationalist. His critique of both the former Soviet Union and its current incarnation hit the mark especially when we see how he's forced (at the behest of I believe a former KGB operative) to put in a disclaimer at the beginning of the film, indicating he holds no grudge against Russia (Alexandrovich is accused of "selling out" by a colleague who is unable to sympathize despite Alexandrovich's genuine fear that the KGB or other sinister Russian force might do harm to his young son).
Nonetheless, Alexandrovich fails to inject any critiques of his own country Ukraine, notably famous for its long history of anti- semitism (the former president of the Ukrainian Republic, Simon Petlura, is still hailed as a hero in some quarters in the country, despite his links to the atrocious pogroms against the Jews right after World War I).
The documentary ends highlighting the Ukrainian rebellion against the pro-Russian president in 2014. The filmmakers make their point about the dangerous resurgence of Russian nationalism. Nonetheless, there are two sides to a story, and the Ukrainians have their share of nationalists who are just as bad as their Russian counterparts. Chad Gracia is best when he chronicles the past utilizing some neat archival footage. Alexandrovich's conspiracy theory remains unproven and this tends to detract from the overall power of the filmmaker's vision.
Interesting Conspiracy Theory
peteroravecz-9982310 July 2017
The premise of this movie made in a documentary format is intriguing, and it is interesting to watch as the theory about the catastrophe at Chernobyl unfolds.
But that's it - interesting theory, no real facts, no reliable sources, no real technical or physical evidence. Not very convincing.
The "genius artist", who came up with the whole idea takes away a lot of the credibility with his artistic nonsensical performance as well.
So yeah, I'm not convinced.
But that's it - interesting theory, no real facts, no reliable sources, no real technical or physical evidence. Not very convincing.
The "genius artist", who came up with the whole idea takes away a lot of the credibility with his artistic nonsensical performance as well.
So yeah, I'm not convinced.
Fantastic documentary!
summerfestlover12 July 2015
I saw this documentary at the Washington DC film festival, and loved it! It is an investigation into the Chernobyl disaster, along with ongoing issues between Russia and Ukraine. It is a suspenseful documentary that draws you in from the first minutes. Fedor, the protagonist, is a very artistic and unique person; he acts heroically in the face of true danger. Fedor is both an artist and an investigator in this film.
The story of how he came to investigate the "Russian Woodpecker," is told thoughtfully by the film makers. I highly recommend seeing this true life, and very relevant, documentary. The cinematography is wonderful as well. I loved this documentary!!!
The story of how he came to investigate the "Russian Woodpecker," is told thoughtfully by the film makers. I highly recommend seeing this true life, and very relevant, documentary. The cinematography is wonderful as well. I loved this documentary!!!
Was the Chernobyl disaster an accident?
opectt8 May 2015
We have all been told the 1986 Chernobyl disaster was an accident. This movie presents a frightening case that it was no accident. By revisiting the available facts and through multiple interviews, the movie leads us through a maze that eventually points the finger at communist politicians in Moscow.
If this incident happened in a vacuum it could be hard to believe. However, if you look at Ukrainian-Russian relations over the past 100 years a pattern develops. In the 1930's a famine orchestrated by Moscow killed millions of Ukrainians. After WWII Moscow orchestrated the execution and exile of many more. Today, we have the instigation and military support of "rebels" in Eastern Ukraine leading to thousands of more deaths. Successive Russian governments have repeatedly shown a callousness to the value of a life, especially a Ukrainian life. Suddenly the case made in this movie follows a shocking but established pattern and provides a warning for all of us.
If this incident happened in a vacuum it could be hard to believe. However, if you look at Ukrainian-Russian relations over the past 100 years a pattern develops. In the 1930's a famine orchestrated by Moscow killed millions of Ukrainians. After WWII Moscow orchestrated the execution and exile of many more. Today, we have the instigation and military support of "rebels" in Eastern Ukraine leading to thousands of more deaths. Successive Russian governments have repeatedly shown a callousness to the value of a life, especially a Ukrainian life. Suddenly the case made in this movie follows a shocking but established pattern and provides a warning for all of us.
Conspiracy story
jaap-41 April 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I know, it's not a popular review. Today, I had the good fortune to watch this, while there's a referendum going on between the Dutch and Ukraine. This film was part of the pro politics.
First of all, understand that Fedor was introduced as either a stranger, not from this world, or a genius (the last, if you're smart apparently).
Then he unveils his possible idea of how thing went in the Tjernobyl disaster of 1986. In his theory he links Sovietpolitics with a coordinated nuclear disaster to cover up tracks. This part seems promising at first. With that he caught my interest.
But soon you will find yourself wondering that what it lacks, is the search for truth, and to find documents. It's not going to happen. No hard evidence. It's all a bit weak and based on ideas (his idea to be specific).
One would say that a lot had been said and written on the matter over the course of 30 years after Tjernobyl..
Then he is concerned that some KGB/FSB service will come and look for him, as soon as he's requesting documents. So....., he doesn't. He's a bit paranoid in this phase.
Then the Maidan revolution breaks out, and all of a sudden, he has no problem whatsoever to tell his 'Tjernobyltruth' as a fact.. Because Moscow has been doing this since the beginning of the Soviet Union for some reason. He even relates events in the order of Holodomor (Stalin), Tjernobyl (Gorbatsjov), and finally Maidan (Putin), and summarizes this as 'Moscow behavior'.
I would consider this as biased propaganda or a conspiracy theory at best, as there's no backing of his story. It was very disappointing, he should be able to do better.
First of all, understand that Fedor was introduced as either a stranger, not from this world, or a genius (the last, if you're smart apparently).
Then he unveils his possible idea of how thing went in the Tjernobyl disaster of 1986. In his theory he links Sovietpolitics with a coordinated nuclear disaster to cover up tracks. This part seems promising at first. With that he caught my interest.
But soon you will find yourself wondering that what it lacks, is the search for truth, and to find documents. It's not going to happen. No hard evidence. It's all a bit weak and based on ideas (his idea to be specific).
One would say that a lot had been said and written on the matter over the course of 30 years after Tjernobyl..
Then he is concerned that some KGB/FSB service will come and look for him, as soon as he's requesting documents. So....., he doesn't. He's a bit paranoid in this phase.
Then the Maidan revolution breaks out, and all of a sudden, he has no problem whatsoever to tell his 'Tjernobyltruth' as a fact.. Because Moscow has been doing this since the beginning of the Soviet Union for some reason. He even relates events in the order of Holodomor (Stalin), Tjernobyl (Gorbatsjov), and finally Maidan (Putin), and summarizes this as 'Moscow behavior'.
I would consider this as biased propaganda or a conspiracy theory at best, as there's no backing of his story. It was very disappointing, he should be able to do better.
Mesmerizing, thought-provoking, artistic documentary!
lunarka13 July 2015
I have seen this documentary twice, and I'd love to watch it again and again. It's a mesmerizing, full of details, thought provoking film. The director managed to incorporate important background historical information and did so in the most skillful way.
"The Russian woodpecker" is an example of a masterful documentary: it's a true investigation (with interviews, work in the archives, site visits, etc), incorporation of real-time events (revolution in Ukraine broke out during work on this film), and addition of artistic details that better convey the personality of the main character Fedor.
After participating in several Q&A sessions with the director and the crew I learned a lot of interesting information. I saw for myself how genuine they were about making a high quality documentary, and how surprised they were to see it morph into this almost incredible theory about Chornobyl disaster as they researched more and more.
The most important to me is that they are themselves skeptical of the theory as the lack of official documents (a lot of them still being in secret archives in Moscow) prevents them from making definite conclusions. On the other hand, they invite the international community to continue the investigation and finally find the truth behind this terrible catastrophe.
I really hope that this great documentary will inspire new official international investigation so the world will know the truth. Watch this film if you get a chance - you'll learn so much and you'll be inspired to question the world around you! Bravo!
"The Russian woodpecker" is an example of a masterful documentary: it's a true investigation (with interviews, work in the archives, site visits, etc), incorporation of real-time events (revolution in Ukraine broke out during work on this film), and addition of artistic details that better convey the personality of the main character Fedor.
After participating in several Q&A sessions with the director and the crew I learned a lot of interesting information. I saw for myself how genuine they were about making a high quality documentary, and how surprised they were to see it morph into this almost incredible theory about Chornobyl disaster as they researched more and more.
The most important to me is that they are themselves skeptical of the theory as the lack of official documents (a lot of them still being in secret archives in Moscow) prevents them from making definite conclusions. On the other hand, they invite the international community to continue the investigation and finally find the truth behind this terrible catastrophe.
I really hope that this great documentary will inspire new official international investigation so the world will know the truth. Watch this film if you get a chance - you'll learn so much and you'll be inspired to question the world around you! Bravo!
Visually engaging but rather empty 'truther-lite' documentary
Makariy30 November 2015
This documentary presents numerous speculations about the Chernobyl disaster (most notably alleging that it may have been an 'inside job' done to cover up a costly failed Soviet intelligence project).
The film clearly doesn't seem to know whether to back these wild notions and thus 'expose the conspiracy', or to let them represent the troubled/visionary mind of the artist-protagonist Fedor Alexandrovich. It hedges its bets, rather like a horoscope its meaning is largely down to you.
This leaves the film with a conspicuous absence in the place where its core integrity should be. I saw this at a festival with filmmaker present and he gave open-ended answers regarding to the conspiracy angle when questioned by the audience. This leaves the film with an artificial range of interpretation, because it lacks any real conviction of its own. It should be noted that some of the footage is great, but unfortunately the whole is less than the sum of the parts.
The film clearly doesn't seem to know whether to back these wild notions and thus 'expose the conspiracy', or to let them represent the troubled/visionary mind of the artist-protagonist Fedor Alexandrovich. It hedges its bets, rather like a horoscope its meaning is largely down to you.
This leaves the film with a conspicuous absence in the place where its core integrity should be. I saw this at a festival with filmmaker present and he gave open-ended answers regarding to the conspiracy angle when questioned by the audience. This leaves the film with an artificial range of interpretation, because it lacks any real conviction of its own. It should be noted that some of the footage is great, but unfortunately the whole is less than the sum of the parts.
An authentically and tightly-told story
slaalemlikewise13 July 2015
The Russian Woodpecker was one of the most refreshing documentaries I've seen in a long while. Such an authentically and tightly-told story - but one that doesn't rely on formulaic documentary formats (albeit still unarguably a documentary). Saw a lot of solid docs at Sheffield Doc/Fest this year but this was my total favourite. Whether you're into the themes/subject matter independently or not, this is a great film, a great story and a great lead character. Worth every 80 minutes of its and your time (I think it's about 80 mins). I came away moved and impressed by how they managed to tell such an epic narrative in such a relatable and relatively low-key way, seeing the Ukrainian/Russian situation from a human/personal perspective and beginning to understand it all the better for it.
The Amercian cuckoo.
oeoremo27 July 2015
In the world of IIO and misinformation, the known fascist right sector/Svoboda actions in Maidan, including mounting evidence of right sector sniping their very own to force the 'new Ukraine'; we find in this 'Russian woodpecker', an American cuckoo. A 'contrivation' of CIAHollywood/Joel Harding proportion.
An artist-proclaimed in the flyer as cult-hero, BUT only in the producers dreams. A noble quest and the evils of empire surround the making of this sophisticated propaganda piece. Why 'Victoria NULAND' s name doesn't feature in the credits alongside 'Yats' and the 5 billion USAID put into the coup d'état, can only be oversight on the NY side of the operation. But. They say disinformation has to contain truth, or it doesn't serve. And who knows whether the central premiss is correct? We know that Governments murder their own citizens -even the remotest fool knows 911 was an inside job- but to hide the facts of right sector /USA involvement in the coup behind this heroic sentimentality rap, is anti-history and can only place the makers of this work as myth makers. propagandists. To feature the terrible famine, but not Ukrainian fascist SS committing Babi-Yar...and their descendants running the Ukrainian Rada hand-in-hand with USAMO, is a crime of conscience.
An artist-proclaimed in the flyer as cult-hero, BUT only in the producers dreams. A noble quest and the evils of empire surround the making of this sophisticated propaganda piece. Why 'Victoria NULAND' s name doesn't feature in the credits alongside 'Yats' and the 5 billion USAID put into the coup d'état, can only be oversight on the NY side of the operation. But. They say disinformation has to contain truth, or it doesn't serve. And who knows whether the central premiss is correct? We know that Governments murder their own citizens -even the remotest fool knows 911 was an inside job- but to hide the facts of right sector /USA involvement in the coup behind this heroic sentimentality rap, is anti-history and can only place the makers of this work as myth makers. propagandists. To feature the terrible famine, but not Ukrainian fascist SS committing Babi-Yar...and their descendants running the Ukrainian Rada hand-in-hand with USAMO, is a crime of conscience.
An Excellent Journalistic Journey in Search of the Truth
dustinwood-9079112 July 2015
This is an excellent movie that takes a journalistic approach to a very important question - was Russia involved somehow in the explosion of Chernobyl. There is no fiction in here at all; it is the truthful account of one man's journey to discover the truth. The director is very objective and follows Fedor, the victim of Chernobyl and the source of the assertions being made. The score of the film is beautiful, the camera work is top notch, and the issues that are raised throughout are of importance for anyone to consider. Gracia is an excellent filmmaker with an eye for sequencing and image that reminds me of a young Orson Welles. Highly recommended.
Light on facts...
editor-753-17521115 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Ultimately, as documentaries go, this one is not great. The running theme presented is that a Russian Government Official forced Chernobyl to explode, in order to hide the fact that the Duga (Russian Over-The-Horizon Radar) was not working. I think even a casual observer, not understanding the Soviet history would find this claim hard to believe.
There are moments in the picture where Fedor (Our guide) is conducting interviews with officials who are essentially denying his claims as preposterous. It then switches to Fedor watching the same interview back on a TV, and he is claiming that the person he is interviewing is squirming in their chair. We don't really see that, he's just telling us what he sees in the interview that he gave. While he watches it. We see nothing of the sort. Except an angry Russian who probably didn't like this kid's weird conspiracy questions.
While there are some good interviews where they are talking to people who worked at the Nuclear Power Plant, and they were critical of the institution for ordering the experiments; Fedor, instead of going with this information and expounding on it, to make a better documentary on what happened, he goes on this weird tangent about how it was a planned explosion to hide that the Duga didn't work.
Here's the thing... And they don't mention it in the documentary. There were at least two Duga's. One was indeed in the Ukraine at Chernobyl (The receiver anyway), but the other was in the East. The Soviets used this system for almost twenty years. They didn't just get up one day in the middle of 1986 and decide that this would be the time to judge whether the system was worth the money or not. And the idea that the person in charge would try to melt-down the power-plant to hide it is preposterous. Because the commission that is there to check on it, could just go check on the Duga in the East to see how it was working and draw the same conclusions.
The administrator would have had to of blown up a nuclear power plant in the East and in the West to hide both Duga's. There may have even been a third - http://www.thelivingmoon.com/45jack_files/03files/Russian_Bases_Wood pecker_Duga_Radar_Ukraine.html
The Duga must have been a success, because the Russians are now using "Container" Radar, which is the next generation Over-The- Horizon radar born out of the Duga's history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Container_radar
So this "Documentary" is less about substance, and more about conspiracy. There are plenty of things the Soviets did wrong, that one doesn't need to invent fiction about it. The truth is always more interesting.
There are moments in the picture where Fedor (Our guide) is conducting interviews with officials who are essentially denying his claims as preposterous. It then switches to Fedor watching the same interview back on a TV, and he is claiming that the person he is interviewing is squirming in their chair. We don't really see that, he's just telling us what he sees in the interview that he gave. While he watches it. We see nothing of the sort. Except an angry Russian who probably didn't like this kid's weird conspiracy questions.
While there are some good interviews where they are talking to people who worked at the Nuclear Power Plant, and they were critical of the institution for ordering the experiments; Fedor, instead of going with this information and expounding on it, to make a better documentary on what happened, he goes on this weird tangent about how it was a planned explosion to hide that the Duga didn't work.
Here's the thing... And they don't mention it in the documentary. There were at least two Duga's. One was indeed in the Ukraine at Chernobyl (The receiver anyway), but the other was in the East. The Soviets used this system for almost twenty years. They didn't just get up one day in the middle of 1986 and decide that this would be the time to judge whether the system was worth the money or not. And the idea that the person in charge would try to melt-down the power-plant to hide it is preposterous. Because the commission that is there to check on it, could just go check on the Duga in the East to see how it was working and draw the same conclusions.
The administrator would have had to of blown up a nuclear power plant in the East and in the West to hide both Duga's. There may have even been a third - http://www.thelivingmoon.com/45jack_files/03files/Russian_Bases_Wood pecker_Duga_Radar_Ukraine.html
The Duga must have been a success, because the Russians are now using "Container" Radar, which is the next generation Over-The- Horizon radar born out of the Duga's history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Container_radar
So this "Documentary" is less about substance, and more about conspiracy. There are plenty of things the Soviets did wrong, that one doesn't need to invent fiction about it. The truth is always more interesting.
A remarkable documentary about how fear can change and challenge us! The critical scene with Fedor.
devineni13 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Since I filmed Fedor, along with our DP, before and after these controversial scenes, which some have said were "staged Western propaganda," I'd like to put my professional reputation behind the statement that these scenes were NOT staged.
*SPOILER ALERT* One thing that became clear to me and the entire team from the beginning was that Fedor was a caged tiger. At times he was very difficult to work with and always restless, but the thing we admired about him was his unrelenting pursuit of his idea — which is why we were surprised when he turned on us and the film. Both Chad and I were there during that tense time, and Fedor was continuously fighting with us and backtracking. He still trusted his close friend and fellow Ukrainian, Artem. So we needed to film Fedor with secret cameras because we could not understand what was happening (at one point Feedor attacked me for bringing out my camera, so we knew something serious was going on). It was not an easy decision, but by using hidden cameras, we were finally able to discover the reason why Fedor no longer wanted to investigate his theory. At that point, we decided to stop filming so that Fedor could feel safe again.
Fedor never knew we filmed him with secret cameras or that those scenes existed. Chad eventually told him a few nights before the premiere at Sundance Film Festival, and the screening was the first time Fedor saw this controversial footage. Obviously, we were all nervous by what Fedor might say or do on stage when he saw it. But, he was fine with it since he felt the documentary was an honest and beautifully cinematic telling of his journey.
Fedor's theory sounds fantastical and even crazy, but in my opinion the film is more about how an individual can lose his way when a society disintegrates into violence and fear. These controversial scenes gives an important glimpse into just that state of mind. -- Ram Devineni, Co-Producer
*SPOILER ALERT* One thing that became clear to me and the entire team from the beginning was that Fedor was a caged tiger. At times he was very difficult to work with and always restless, but the thing we admired about him was his unrelenting pursuit of his idea — which is why we were surprised when he turned on us and the film. Both Chad and I were there during that tense time, and Fedor was continuously fighting with us and backtracking. He still trusted his close friend and fellow Ukrainian, Artem. So we needed to film Fedor with secret cameras because we could not understand what was happening (at one point Feedor attacked me for bringing out my camera, so we knew something serious was going on). It was not an easy decision, but by using hidden cameras, we were finally able to discover the reason why Fedor no longer wanted to investigate his theory. At that point, we decided to stop filming so that Fedor could feel safe again.
Fedor never knew we filmed him with secret cameras or that those scenes existed. Chad eventually told him a few nights before the premiere at Sundance Film Festival, and the screening was the first time Fedor saw this controversial footage. Obviously, we were all nervous by what Fedor might say or do on stage when he saw it. But, he was fine with it since he felt the documentary was an honest and beautifully cinematic telling of his journey.
Fedor's theory sounds fantastical and even crazy, but in my opinion the film is more about how an individual can lose his way when a society disintegrates into violence and fear. These controversial scenes gives an important glimpse into just that state of mind. -- Ram Devineni, Co-Producer
Diagnosis, not documentary
dodangel1 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
After two minutes of watching it was clear that the "Russian" woodpecker is worthless propaganda movie about present situation in Ukraine and against the Russian government, not about Chernobyl catastrophe. A surreal story with elements of schizophrenia was mixed with worst kind of propaganda scenes from CNN, VOX and other one-sided channels about "revolution" or the violent coup in Ukraine. The only things worth watching were some mentioned names and terms that could be further investigated. The point about the Chernobyl catastrophe as deliberate act by some Soviet minister to hide Duga radar inefficiency is fictional and does not match the facts. The system operated from July 1976 to December 1989 and had two operational radars, one near Chernobyl and Chernihiv in Ukraine, the other in eastern Siberia. Disabling of access and examination of a just one radar with no less than deliberate nuclear disaster with all consequences to hide malfunctioning of whole system which worked for three years after the catastrophe is delusional.
One of the worst and most misleading "documentaries" that I have watched.
One of the worst and most misleading "documentaries" that I have watched.
A rollercoaster of ideas, suggestions, and suspicions!
amindboggling20 April 2018
I am in no way a conspiracy theorist, but I am also in no way familiar with the very disturbing secrets which clearly lie within Russia and its former (and current) annexed nations. This film presents a very harsh, yet realistic possible explanation for why Chernobyl happened. Why a perfectly functioning nuclear plant which fed both the government and the people suddenly melted down catastrophically. Most people have since chalked it up as "just because", as if nuclear reactors sometimes just blow themselves up randomly.
Some may be put off by the filmmaker's unabashedly artistic montages of him in rather avantgarde outfits and scenes, in between heart-stopping clips of him climbing the frightfully high towers that projected the Russian Woodpecker signal, and him attempting to wrangle information out of former Soviet officials. This creativity seeps through to make it more than just another cut-and-dry documentary. The filmmaker himself has a deep personal connection with Chernobyl, and expresses that anger in various artful ways.
Some may be put off by the filmmaker's unabashedly artistic montages of him in rather avantgarde outfits and scenes, in between heart-stopping clips of him climbing the frightfully high towers that projected the Russian Woodpecker signal, and him attempting to wrangle information out of former Soviet officials. This creativity seeps through to make it more than just another cut-and-dry documentary. The filmmaker himself has a deep personal connection with Chernobyl, and expresses that anger in various artful ways.
The truth hurts
Sabihondo12 July 2015
A movie that exposes the "New Soviet Union" for what it is, criminal. We all know the Soviet Union is a 3rd world country with nuclear weapons that only steals technology and subjugates its people. This film shows one angle of their behavior and thought processes. While there are many Soviet citizens that are happy with their $50 a month pension and just want to buy food, there are more than want to play a positive part in this world but are powerless due to the power structure.
After the Soviet invasion of Ukraine in 2014 (I was there when it happened), the world shrugged as putin marched like Hitler through the Crimea, then Donbas (Eastern Ukraine). This documentary shows how the evil empire has returned after refusing to accept that they are nothing more than a bunch of thugs.
After the Soviet invasion of Ukraine in 2014 (I was there when it happened), the world shrugged as putin marched like Hitler through the Crimea, then Donbas (Eastern Ukraine). This documentary shows how the evil empire has returned after refusing to accept that they are nothing more than a bunch of thugs.
Anti-Russian film posing as a documentary
karen_schultz7 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This is supposedly a documentary about a Ukrainian named Fedor who discovers that the Chernobyl disaster was in fact no accident. The "hero" of the movie, an eccentric and somewhat "touched" young artist, tries (along with a few friends) to find the true cause of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, then plans to expose it to the world. After they painstakingly attempt to prove the explosion was a plot by one Soviet official who needed to save his skin after investing enormous government funds in a failed Cold War project, they suddenly jump to the conclusion, completely unfounded even in the context of their own "research", that Chernobyl was a Soviet-engineered Ukrainian genocide. Then, when Fedor secretly confides to his friend that the secret police are going to hurt his family if he continues with the project; his friend secretly records the conversation and includes it in the movie. One might first wonder what kind of friend would subject a person close to him to repercussions by the secret police, but in the context of the movie one is expected to forgive him as he is sacrificing Fedor for the greater good (telling the truth about the evil Russians). However, it makes a lot more sense if in fact the secret police never visited Fedor, and the scene was just made up to provide the most damning "proof" that Chernobyl was no accident to make the Russians look bad (they even state in the film that this is that ultimate proof, because if the secret police visit you to make you say something didn't happen, it clearly did). One might imagine that if the secret police, presented in the movie as a powerful and unscrupulous force, didn't want to the film made, they would have been much more effective and the viewer would never have seen it.
A more interesting layer of the film is the creation of the character Fedor, a Ukrainian holy fool in the tradition of Basil the Blessed and others whose words are believed to be from god, who are able to foresee the future, and who, from time to time, run around naked. Unfortunately this may be less an interesting artistic device and more a technique to allow the hero to make all sorts of claims without having to back them up with logic or proof. The most egregious of these claims, of which there are many, is that Russia is trying to start WWIII. In fact, inflammatory propaganda films like this one are themselves extremely dangerous, as they sow fear and misunderstanding between Russia and the West at a time when honesty, understanding, and levelheaded thinking are so critical.
Ultimately, the real conspiracy here may the attempt to pass off a fictional movie as a documentary. Unfortunately, if "The Russian Woodpecker" hadn't pretended to be a documentary, it would have been far more interesting aesthetically and far less troubling ethically. In fact, it is little more than an anti-Russian diatribe.
A more interesting layer of the film is the creation of the character Fedor, a Ukrainian holy fool in the tradition of Basil the Blessed and others whose words are believed to be from god, who are able to foresee the future, and who, from time to time, run around naked. Unfortunately this may be less an interesting artistic device and more a technique to allow the hero to make all sorts of claims without having to back them up with logic or proof. The most egregious of these claims, of which there are many, is that Russia is trying to start WWIII. In fact, inflammatory propaganda films like this one are themselves extremely dangerous, as they sow fear and misunderstanding between Russia and the West at a time when honesty, understanding, and levelheaded thinking are so critical.
Ultimately, the real conspiracy here may the attempt to pass off a fictional movie as a documentary. Unfortunately, if "The Russian Woodpecker" hadn't pretended to be a documentary, it would have been far more interesting aesthetically and far less troubling ethically. In fact, it is little more than an anti-Russian diatribe.
Strange in the Most Beautiful Way
yberkovits-6194618 October 2015
Like no other documentary I've seen. This movie immerses you, not just in the political and cultural forces shaping the Ukraine, but in the mind of one its most eccentric and brilliant inhabitants. Whether you ultimately believe the theory of the Chernobyl disaster that Fedor develops is beside the point. It's about traveling with him as he pieces things together and marveling at the sights along the way. From political upheaval in modern Ukraine, to the intrigue and conspiracies of cold war statecraft, to the bizarre and beautiful patchwork inside Fedor's head. The unique characters and beautiful, surreal images of this film will stay with you for a long while.
Very disappointed
slyjimmyslim5 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I wanted to know about the radar array. Instead I got a horrible conspiracy theory. Why keep the array standing if it was the reason for killing Ukrainians to cover up the fact it doesn't work?!?! Especially once it means any nutter butter draped in plastic with a camera can go investigate?!?!
The creditability was destroyed early, never returned, and left me unable to palate any of this tripe.
The creditability was destroyed early, never returned, and left me unable to palate any of this tripe.
The best documentary that I have seen in years
valerypolyakov28 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this movie at Landmark in SF. The movie is the best documentary that I have seen in years! It is informative, suspenseful, and entertaining. The movie is trying to pin down the cause of the nuclear reactor breach at Chernobyl Nuclear Power station in 1986, which is still the worst technological disaster in human history. The protagonist is investigating the accident despite stonewalling by former officials at great personal risks. The investigation is taking place during the last months of the now deposed Yanukovich's oppressive regime, when Ukraine finally shed away the last remnants of "sovietism." I was always convinced that the Chernobyl accident was a result of an extreme recklessness and total indifference to the value of a human life, so typical of the Soviet regime. After watching the movie, I am not so sure anymore. Something far more sinister and culpable could have been in play. Go watch the movie. You will not regret it!
a unique way to demand answers that affected millions of people
ageorgiou57-372-3872746 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
i saw it after i downloaded it from vimeo.i was very expectant and curious.years before i experienced first hand the inexplicable sound of woodpecker transmissions,i never understood the illogical process that led to the detonation of the chernobyl reactor and could not comprehend the reasons behind such a deep hate as the one between ukraine and Russia. all these were perfectly exposed and explained in this almost perfectly composed cinematic production. a movie in which documantation, action and narration are interwoven and indistinguishable .the hero, following his intuition, manages to connect the dots and give answers where twenty years later an official answer is still missing. the chernobyl catastrophe was not an accident but a crime against humanity and justice must be done. most interestingly, now that the woodpecker transmission can be heard again in our receivers.
Not sure what to think about this one...
Chronic_Johnson6 January 2021
Something feels inauthentic in how this is presented. Many scenes are set up in a way where information they receive seems too convenient. There are a lot of cuts, a lot of things that are said to have happened but weren't caught on camera, but we are expected to believe.
That said, I don't doubt how corrupt and disgusting the soviet system was and how that has in some ways continued to exist into the current day. This documentary just feels a bit unfocused and really tries to rely on a conspiracy theory for which not enough evidence is provided (though it is reasonable to assume that this evidence has been thoroughly covered up by the powers that be). There could be truth to it, or it could all be made up for sensationalism. It's hard to say.
The film could have benefited from focusing more on the details of the presenter's family history where his grandparents were sent to the gulags, the terrible things that happened to them and the various mass starvations caused by the soviet regime. It's in the film, but I feel it should have been elaborated upon much more. This could have then been shown in parallel to the fairly recent 2014 protests in Ukraine that resulted in deaths of hundreds of those protesters (which is really the most impactful element of the film, other than a few suspicious answers given during some of the interviews). The idea in the film that remnants of the Soviet Union are still alive and well and continue to be responsible for ongoing atrocities is a valid and important one to get across. I just don't think it was handled particularly well.
Even the official story of what happened at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, acknowledged by the Russian government, shows how incompetent and reprehensible the government was in their handling of the disaster. The film probably would have been taken more seriously and overall been more effective if they looked at things from this angle.
The Soviet Union and any government today, really, are without a doubt unworthy of trust. But I'm just not entirely convinced that I should trust the makers of this film, either.
5/10.
That said, I don't doubt how corrupt and disgusting the soviet system was and how that has in some ways continued to exist into the current day. This documentary just feels a bit unfocused and really tries to rely on a conspiracy theory for which not enough evidence is provided (though it is reasonable to assume that this evidence has been thoroughly covered up by the powers that be). There could be truth to it, or it could all be made up for sensationalism. It's hard to say.
The film could have benefited from focusing more on the details of the presenter's family history where his grandparents were sent to the gulags, the terrible things that happened to them and the various mass starvations caused by the soviet regime. It's in the film, but I feel it should have been elaborated upon much more. This could have then been shown in parallel to the fairly recent 2014 protests in Ukraine that resulted in deaths of hundreds of those protesters (which is really the most impactful element of the film, other than a few suspicious answers given during some of the interviews). The idea in the film that remnants of the Soviet Union are still alive and well and continue to be responsible for ongoing atrocities is a valid and important one to get across. I just don't think it was handled particularly well.
Even the official story of what happened at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, acknowledged by the Russian government, shows how incompetent and reprehensible the government was in their handling of the disaster. The film probably would have been taken more seriously and overall been more effective if they looked at things from this angle.
The Soviet Union and any government today, really, are without a doubt unworthy of trust. But I'm just not entirely convinced that I should trust the makers of this film, either.
5/10.
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