Ryan Smith’s documentary Soldiers of Song shows the importance of independent films and documentaries. In the past, war documentaries came out long after the war concluded. Today, we are privy to real-time events and tragedies on the front line. Soldiers of Song walks us through the timeline of the Russia/Ukraine war still being waged today but films the perspective of the brave soldiers and citizens and their fight for freedom and victory—all through the medium of music.
Soldiers of Song follows several prominent Ukrainian musicians, including Slava Vakarchuk (Okean Elzy), Andriy Khlyvnyuk (Boombox), and Svitlana Tarabarova. Along with dozens of other musicians, their music spans classical to Ukrainian folk to hardcore death metal. Their music serves many purposes, including preserving Ukrainian history and culture, strengthening the bond of music and arts in wartime, and encouraging Ukrainian soldiers to press on, knowing their country is solidly behind them.
The film follows the war from the first day of Russia’s bombing of the capital city of Kyiv. It’s the day that an entire country was put into war mode. Men are sent to the front lines, and everyone else bunkers in shelters for safety. One such shelter was a theater and concert hall, which housed over 2,000 people in its basement. As Kyiv’s infrastructure was being destroyed, some knew it was only a matter of time before the theater would be targeted.
As the war rages on, Soldiers of Song follows various artists and bands on tour to military bases. Like the USO, these tours remind soldiers that they are not forgotten. These bands also travel outside of Ukraine to raise awareness of the devastation caused by the war in the world around them. One song that stands out is Svitlana Tarabarova’s acoustic performance of Metalica’s iconic ballad, “Nothing Else Matters,” sung beautifully in Ukrainian.
“…walks us through the timeline of the Russia/Ukraine war still being waged today—all through the medium of music.”
Soldiers of Song also looks at the unintended consequences of war. It’s not just soldiers wounded and killed in battle, but civilians like women and children fall victim to Russian bombings. There is also a desperate desire to preserve Ukrainian culture. When Russia takes over a town, it forces Ukrainian citizens to accept Russian passports, reinforcing the idea that their home is no longer theirs but now belongs to Russia.
Lastly, Ryan Smith’s documentary shows how music fosters unity among soldiers in desperate need of hope that this war will end soon—and in victory against the Russians.
One cannot help but feel compassion and admiration for the people of Ukraine. Today, peace hangs in the balance, and Soldiers of Song offers a glimpse into the lives of those enduring war on the other side of the world. The documentary has a lot of music spanning many different styles, and one can’t help but notice how music lifts spirits. Performing live music builds unity. Soldiers of Song succeeds on so many levels to show why fighting for freedom is essential, and as one artist put it, war is not a movie shot on sets with special effects, but it is very real.
Soldiers of Song is a powerful testament to the resilience of the Ukrainian people. It proves that music isn’t just an escape—it’s a weapon, a unifier, and a lifeline in times of war. Ryan Smith captures the soul of a nation fighting not just for survival but for identity, culture, and freedom. This documentary is more than just a chronicle of war; it’s a rallying cry, reminding us that even in the darkest times, a song can still rise above the destruction.
"…Music isn’t just an escape—it’s a weapon, a unifier, and a lifeline in times of war."
