Based on a true story, Franz Bohm’s short film Rock, Paper, Scissors is the story of a young Ukrainian teen, Ivan, who helps his father run a makeshift hospital on the frontlines against the Russians.
The hospital is waiting for much-needed supplies to arrive by truck. Ivan’s father asks him to head out of the bunker to see where the truck is. It takes a moment for Ivan to see the truck, and just as he’s calling back to his dad, Russian jets destroy the truck.
Ivan then spots two Russian soldiers heading toward the bunker. Ivan decides that he will take one of the wounded soldier’s rifles and kill the two soldiers.
“…a young Ukrainian teen, Ivan, who helps his father run a makeshift hospital on the frontlines…”
The Russian/Ukrainian conflict is as close as possible to a modern war tale. Writer/director Franz Bohm crafts a thrilling tale of survival and tragedy in the spirit of the great war epics of the past. Well, it’s not exactly epic, but on a modest budget nonetheless.
Oleksandr Rudynskyy plays Ivan, and he shows impressive range as the boy thrust into adulthood way too fast. He constantly wavers between defending his family and the harsh realities of war. The ending still lingers.
Rock, Paper, Scissors may not boast the scale of a traditional war epic, but it delivers an emotional knockout punch. Ultimately, this short film reminds us that in the game of life—and war—the boldest moves are those played straight from the heart.
"…a thrilling tale of survival and tragedy..."
