TREK TO BUCHA
A quixotic American documentarian - and his guardian angel – witnessed Ukraine's Spirit on their way to Chernobyl in the war’s early days.
One month into Russia’s war on Ukraine, guerilla documentarian Steve Richards began a month-long journey to gather stories from a place where citizens endured Russian tanks, snipers, and unfathomable atrocities. A place where shelled homes, bombed businesses, and lost jobs, are the result of artillery bombardments opening up on their neighborhoods. Stories about people like us caught in a war few imagined - in a town they love, in a country they find unexpectedly united. Trek to Bucha is their story.
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Trailer
Check out the trailer by clicking here! |
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A destroyed home in Bucha
Why This Film
In the film we see normal citizens – a civil engineer, a businessman, a DJ, a restaurant owner, a student, an insurance agent – all forever changed and looking for a return to “normal life.”
Ukraine can use help over the long term and not just for its military. Property damage as documented in the film fits along a spectrum, from isolated damage in Lviv to almost complete devastation in Irpin. The film can help increase awareness and maintain support for Ukraine, to resource its capabilities economically as it rebuilds huge swaths of devastated terrain. Like a little Marshall Plan. Trek to Bucha can help with the information war which was repeatedly mentioned by interviewees as vitally important. It can also boost morale and support throughout Europe and the USA during a cold and energy-challenged winter.
In the film we see normal citizens – a civil engineer, a businessman, a DJ, a restaurant owner, a student, an insurance agent – all forever changed and looking for a return to “normal life.”
Ukraine can use help over the long term and not just for its military. Property damage as documented in the film fits along a spectrum, from isolated damage in Lviv to almost complete devastation in Irpin. The film can help increase awareness and maintain support for Ukraine, to resource its capabilities economically as it rebuilds huge swaths of devastated terrain. Like a little Marshall Plan. Trek to Bucha can help with the information war which was repeatedly mentioned by interviewees as vitally important. It can also boost morale and support throughout Europe and the USA during a cold and energy-challenged winter.
“The documentary's texture presents the horror, terror, and yes, hope, without showing the gore of war. The generosity of spirit links all people of all walks and daily life… "
- Roma Hayda, Providence, RI
- Roma Hayda, Providence, RI
"Thank you again for your brave effort and personal commitment to produce the documentary film about the war in Ukraine. Your documentary film will be part of the recorded history about the sacrifice and heroism of the Ukrainian people in defending their freedom, dignity, and sovereignty."
- Fr. Yaroslav of Christ the King UCC
The Film
In March 2022, documentarian Steve Richards travelled to Ukraine to document its war zone nuclear power plants.
But things changed, and instead of the power plants he was led to Lviv, Kyiv, and Bucha, into the extraordinary worlds of people caught up in Putin’s war. The stories and images are from people like us caught in a war few imagined. Richards takes us into their world as they are living it. Breaking the limitations of network news coverage, the film gives us more than quick sound bites of victims. We hear stories about gratitude alongside the documentary’s footage, most seen nowhere else. It begins in Boston when Father Yaroslav from Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Church called down a guardian angel to look over Richards on his journey. It’s easy to see the Spirit taking Richards from one rendezvous to another capturing the inspirational with the realities.
In March 2022, documentarian Steve Richards travelled to Ukraine to document its war zone nuclear power plants.
But things changed, and instead of the power plants he was led to Lviv, Kyiv, and Bucha, into the extraordinary worlds of people caught up in Putin’s war. The stories and images are from people like us caught in a war few imagined. Richards takes us into their world as they are living it. Breaking the limitations of network news coverage, the film gives us more than quick sound bites of victims. We hear stories about gratitude alongside the documentary’s footage, most seen nowhere else. It begins in Boston when Father Yaroslav from Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Church called down a guardian angel to look over Richards on his journey. It’s easy to see the Spirit taking Richards from one rendezvous to another capturing the inspirational with the realities.
“Steve, Bobbie, and the others have produced a must-watch film that freedom-loving people in the US and around the world will find inspiration. Slava Ukraini!”
– Alexander Gamota, Bear Witness
– Alexander Gamota, Bear Witness
The Director
Steve Richards (For his filmography click here.) Richards directs and produces all of TheoEco’s documentaries. He went to Ukraine to film Trek to Bucha in late March 2022 for a month-long shoot that is the basis for the film. With four documentaries under his belt, he started TheoEco in 2015.
Steve Richards (For his filmography click here.) Richards directs and produces all of TheoEco’s documentaries. He went to Ukraine to film Trek to Bucha in late March 2022 for a month-long shoot that is the basis for the film. With four documentaries under his belt, he started TheoEco in 2015.
A new refugee on her way to
Przemyśl, Poland
Join Us
Our goal is to further support Ukraine and our universal fight for liberty. Here’s how we’re planning to do it:
Our goal is to further support Ukraine and our universal fight for liberty. Here’s how we’re planning to do it:
- Screenings & discussions at top universities and libraries
- National television broadcast on PBS
- Digital release on iTunes, Amazon, Vimeo, and streaming services
“Well done."
- Vsevolod Petriv, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, President of Boston Branch
- Vsevolod Petriv, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, President of Boston Branch
Screen Trek to Bucha for your group.
Be part of it! Screenings can take place at churches/community centers, film festivals, universities and partner sponsored events. So, if you have a group that backs Ukraine – and wants to be entertained, informed, and inspired – we'd love to show it to you!
What’s required of your group? Basically, just screening facilities (for in-person events), and promotional assistance. Refreshments are optional. We can also help arrange a sponsor or two. Don’t have a screen? A/V equipment can be arranged. So, make it an event and invite the broader community. Together, we can shore up support for Ukraine as energy supply cutoffs – and ongoing war – test NATO’s resolve. Here’s all that’s necessary:
We will also be holding virtual screenings, complete with Q&A, online fundraising, and optional livestreams of the event.
Be part of it! Screenings can take place at churches/community centers, film festivals, universities and partner sponsored events. So, if you have a group that backs Ukraine – and wants to be entertained, informed, and inspired – we'd love to show it to you!
What’s required of your group? Basically, just screening facilities (for in-person events), and promotional assistance. Refreshments are optional. We can also help arrange a sponsor or two. Don’t have a screen? A/V equipment can be arranged. So, make it an event and invite the broader community. Together, we can shore up support for Ukraine as energy supply cutoffs – and ongoing war – test NATO’s resolve. Here’s all that’s necessary:
- Set a date
- Send a few emails
- Have a great event!
- 50% of net proceeds go to a Ukrainian support organization you choose.
We will also be holding virtual screenings, complete with Q&A, online fundraising, and optional livestreams of the event.
Key Screenings
Check out the post-premiere interviews we did at our premiere screening for a bit of insight as to how the film is being received.
Slava Ukraini!
Our Partners
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Ukrainian Catholic University
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In every human Breast, God has implanted a Principle, which we call Love of Freedom; it is impatient of Oppression, and pants for Deliverance. - Phillis Wheatley - 1774