The film revolves around a Ukrainian boy named Denys who is forced to leave his country due to the outbreak of war. His only remaining hope is to reunite with Dmitrii, a young recruit in the Russian army.
The director, Nicolas Morganti Patrignani, describes the film as a portrayal of two innocent boys who, despite being forcibly separated, never consider themselves defeated. Fueled by unwavering hope, they actively and peacefully fight against adversities to live their love again.
The war context in “Borderless” serves as a metaphor for the obstacles that often attack the world, including prejudices, traps, and wires connected to explosives capable of killing love. The film aims to evoke empathy and draw viewers out of apathy, addressing the pain of those who suffer from war.
The work has already been recognized at the Amarcort Film Festival 2022 in Rimini and the Milan Gold Awards, where it received the Silver Award in the Music Video category. It is described as a hybrid between a music video and a short cinematic film, initially conceived as a music video for a piano performance but evolving into a more dramatic cinematic piece.
Despite some scenes being set in Ukraine and near the Moldovan border, the entire filming took place in Italy, specifically between Rome and Rieti. The cast includes Italian actors, with Alessio Curzi from Rome playing the protagonist, Matteo Accardi from Brescia portraying the Russian boy, and Cristina Golotta, of Turin origin, playing Denys’s grandmother.
The narrative, with a runtime of 11 intense minutes, aims to leave a strong emotional impact, using piano music intertwined with the storyline to engage and provoke thought among those who witness the realities of war and its aftermath.
Many viewers characterized this film as disgusting because it “equates victims and aggressors”
I think that is definitely not the theme of this film. A fascist attack on a country and the killing of innocent people is something that no one with the least bit of conscience can justify.
What we don’t often see in the worst circumstances of war is that even in such circumstances there can be love between people on both sides. Is it impossible for a Ukrainian to love a Russian, or an Israeli to love a Palestinian, or for two soldiers from different armies to love each other?
Such love does not justify any crime, nor does it equate victim and aggressor. It just reminds us that love knows no bounds. The one who sincerely loves, respects and wishes well for the people around him is a good man.
Killers masked in military uniform who came to another country to kill will definitely end up in hell.
