“This could prove to be one of the lasting documentaries of this era.”

“Affecting in a way that will stay with you forever.”

“A captivating piece of filmmaking that is as resistant and hopeful as Ukraine’s people.”

“One of the most upsetting yet essential films of the year.”

“Filmmaker David Gutnik lasers in on the artists pushing back against Russian aggression for an inspiring yet harrowing new documentary.”

“Remarkable for its depiction of how people maintain their everyday lives knowing at any moment they will be under attack.”

“A rivetingly meta look at the war in Ukraine through the narratives of defiant artists that have chosen to stay in their country and fight – by continuing to make their art.”

“Rawer and realer than any film I’ve come across before.”

“Acclaimed documentary takes immersive look at the war in Ukraine.”

“It will inspire. In the face of war, it is an artistic expression of the hope and resilience of a nation.”

“A devastating portrait of today’s Ukraine.”

“A searing new documentary.”

“This film is as much a window into Ukraine as it is an object itself—a manifestation of Ukraine’s soul.”

“The people surviving through this war are keeping the cultural candle lit for future generations of Ukrainians. Both legend and fact must live on. Amidst the forlorn images and scorched earth, there is some sort of hope.”

“In Rule of Two Walls, people come first and the war comes second. Gutnik doesn’t completely bombard viewers with war-torn images because he doesn’t want them to lose their power. He understands that living is as important as dying, and this is why he fixes so much of his film on daily routines. ”

“Arresting...each section leaves its mark.”

“A thought-provoking debut...deeply felt and closely observed.”

“A tapestry of modern alienation.”

“Gutnik’s bravura filmmaking makes him someone to watch.”

“Viscerally immersive.”

“Spellbinding performances.”

“Absorbing.”

“Nothing short of radical...leaves a lasting and profound impression.”

“Enlightening, raw and completely unfiltered...People need to see this.”

“An astonishing portrait of profound intimacy from isolation, ‘Materna’ captures how even our most private relationships intertwine with each new chapter the nation faces. We are honored to be working with Gutnik on his ravishing debut, a telltale sign that he will continue to be a visionary filmmaker of record.”

“Explosive...achingly relatable.”

“A masterclass in acting.”

“Riveting and darkly moving...packed with skilled depictions of the tension between independence and vulnerability, taking almost surreal routes beneath the surface.”

“A beautiful portrait of life at its most intimate.”

“Despite the long cinematic history of complicated mother-child relationships that have been presented on screen, no one has gone about it in quite the way writer/director David Gutnik has in Materna.”

“A unique and refreshing perspective on both motherhood and womanhood.”

“There is a nagging, haunting quietude at the heart of this wonderful little film.”

“Could not be more timely.”

“Materna exemplifies stunning cinematography and complicated characters in a complicated world, authentic, intense performances, and it feels like an experience that we will continue to think about and that will spark many conversations and more importantly, questions.”

“This compelling drama features great supporting turns from indie darling Kate Lyn Sheil (She Dies Tomorrow), country singer Sturgill Simpson, and Rory Culkin as a remarkable, empathetic character.”

“David Gutnik’s debut feature is already leaving its mark on the festival circuit, and rightly so. Long, poignant sequences evoke John Cassavetes’ intimate, character-driven storytelling and enable the four leads’ psychologically rich portraits of the women to truly shine.”

“I have to write about one more detail that Materna brings to mastery. It’s about leaving blank spaces, constructing a story in such a way that some things don’t need to be said. This makes the film subtle, though not delicate, insightful, empathetic and at times devastating. ”

“Assol just has so much compelling energy; her emotions ran so deep…we cared about her dilemma. The visuals were striking.”

“A major breakthrough.”

“Gripping directorial debut.”

“Gritty, authentic.”