To Dance is to Resist review, a documentary by Julian Lautenbacher

In the darkness, we all need an outlet for creativity. A way to remain positive and fight against the negativity being pushed on us. Though everyone experiences some form of resistance to their happiness in life, nothing compares to those who witness and live through a war. The fight Russia started in Ukraine is treacherous, and yet there are still those fighting in any way they can.

A physical fight need not always be necessary. There are more ways to resist oppression than simply physical force.

The underground queer scene in Kyiv is filled with originality and pride. Jay and Vol'demar are two dancers from the underground rave culture. Their art form, their performance as a medium, brings them both joy and a chance to be members of a community. No matter what is thrown in their way, including Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, this queer couple will resist through dance.

Since the invasion began in 2022, photographer and videographer Julian Lautenbacher has followed the pair, documenting their daily lives as well as their dancing community. From the first day of the invasion to as far as 1,375 days of it, their lives unfold in front of the viewer's eyes. In 2026, these communities, and those who live in Ukraine, are being put to the test. But throughout To Dance is to Resist, Lautenbacher reminds us that something can still be held onto when you continue doing what you love. In all honesty, anyone could attempt to make a documentary. Not everyone could make one as impactful as To Dance is to Resist. With all the strain and anger that surrounds the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the world needs a chance to witness some happiness.

The people of Ukraine also deserve a chance to show themselves living as normally as they can through it. What else are they to do if they cannot physically stop what is happening around them. This approach to documentary filmmaking does more than simply tell us about somebody. To Dance is to Resist takes us along Jay and Vol'demar's journey through a war they have been subjected to. Capturing the important moments of their life, Lautenbacher brings up a simple question: how is it possible to maintain everyday life when your country is under siege. And yet, somehow, this queer couple seems to have found a way to continue. Perhaps not in the usual sense, but they have used the pain and sorrow to create something meaningful.

To Dance is to Resist is a different form of non-fiction filmmaking, partly because Lautenbacher is a sound and picture artist rather than a filmmaker in the traditional sense. This allows him to bring something to the film that might not have been there had it been made by someone simply looking for a story to tell. Instead, this artist, based between Kyiv and Berlin, chose to explore human interaction during a difficult moment in time. While watching, you may question whether anything has been staged, as often happens with documentaries. But with Jay and Vol'demar, you sense that each element matters to their story.

Whether filmed by them on their phones during a siege, during rehearsal, or by Lautenbacher capturing their movements through dance, there is something present in each moment.

A Ukrainian-German co-production fits well within BFI Flare, a film festival focused on sharing queer stories. Choosing to screen the world premiere of To Dance is to Resist adds another story to the programme. There is something direct in the way this couple continues through dance. The title says it clearly. Take the idea shared by Jay and Vol'demar and think about it in your own life. As long as we keep doing what we love, we find ways to resist what is placed in front of us. In the case of these two, they are doing exactly that, using their art and their community to continue in their own way.