“Soldiers of Song”: Ryan Smith’s Powerful Tribute to Ukraine’s Musical Warriors

From the frontlines to the world stage, Soldiers of Song is a searing and soulful look at the resilience of artists caught in the crossfire of war. Directed by Ryan Smith, the Emmy Award-winning filmmaker behind NFL 360: Who If Not Us, this powerful documentary offers a deeply human look at Ukrainian musicians who traded instruments for arms to defend their country — and in doing so, redefined the meaning of resistance.

Now available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video, Soldiers of Song is a must-watch for anyone who believes in the power of art to endure, uplift, and unify.

🎬 IMDb page: Soldiers of Song (2024) 📸 Official Website: soldiersofsongfilm.com

A Story Born from the Trenches

The inspiration for Soldiers of Song began during Smith’s earlier work on NFL 360: Who If Not Us, a gripping short doc that followed Ukrainian athletes who left the gridiron for the battlefield.

“While sourcing music for that project, I connected with many Ukrainian musicians and discovered their incredible resilience and dedication to their country,” Smith recalls.

This emotional thread would become the heartbeat of Soldiers of Song — a film that goes beyond headlines to show how music and identity can become weapons of survival.

The Cost of Creation in Wartime

From Boombox frontman Andriy Khlyvnyuk—who swapped sold-out concerts for flying drones in trenches—to the loss of Illya Hravar, a gifted pianist who volunteered to fight and never came home, the documentary captures sacrifice in its rawest form.

“These stories highlight the painful choices artists have had to make, trading their instruments for weapons, knowing that their country’s survival is at stake.”

The film doesn’t just document these transitions; it honors them with lyrical power and searing honesty.

Soundtracking Survival

Music isn’t just the subject of Soldiers of Song—it’s the emotional language of the film. Through tracks by artists like Slava Vakarchuk and live frontline performances, Smith weaves a sonic tapestry of resilience.

“I integrated music by using performances… whose songs have become anthems of resilience,” he explains. “We also incorporated recordings from the front lines, where soldiers used music to stay connected to their identity.”

This approach turns the film into both a documentary and a living mixtape of a nation under siege.

Real People, Real War

“One key lesson I took from Who If Not Us was the importance of personal storytelling,” Smith says. “I wanted to focus on the individuals behind the war—people with dreams, families, and passions who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances.”

Working alongside more than 30 Ukrainian collaborators, including embedded cinematographers and field producers, the production team captured everything from frontline footage to powerful musical street performances. In one particularly moving scene in Lviv’s Rynok Square, Smith stumbled upon student singers raising funds for a teacher-turned-soldier.

“Their passion and emotion were palpable. We knew instantly they had to be part of the film.”

Grit Behind the Lens

Producing a film in an active war zone came with significant challenges. Editors Kadim and Julia worked remotely out of Irpin, often battling power outages and freezing conditions.

“Scheduling interviews in a country at war also proved challenging,” Smith shares. “We had to be flexible, adapt to military conditions, and keep safety as a top priority.”

The result is a film that feels as immediate as it does intimate.

From Tribeca to Global Screens

Soldiers of Song premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2024 to powerful audience reactions.

“Viewers have been deeply moved by the personal stories and the broader narrative of resilience, which affirmed the emotional depth we aimed to capture.”

The film is now streaming on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video, with additional screenings continuing at theaters, universities, and community events across Europe and the U.S.

A Mirror to the Moment

“The film serves as a reminder of the realities Ukrainians continue to face… highlighting the resilience of its people and their unwavering commitment to defending their culture, history, and sovereignty.”

From the devastating Mariupol theater bombing to the everyday heroism of students and soldiers, Soldiers of Song captures a nation’s spirit in the face of darkness.

What Comes Next

Smith is already at work on his next project, which follows LA street artists as they travel to Ukraine, using murals to bring healing and color to communities devastated by war.

“I want to continue telling stories that reflect the healing power of art and community,” he says.

Connect with Soldiers of Song

🔗 Official Website: soldiersofsongfilm.com 📸 Instagram: @soldiersofsongfilm 👍 Facebook: Soldiers of Song Film 🎵 TikTok: @soldiersofsongfilm

About the Director

Ryan Smith is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for his human-centered, emotionally charged documentaries. His 2022 film, NFL 360: Who If Not Us, spotlighted Ukrainian football players-turned-soldiers, establishing his voice as one deeply committed to telling stories of sacrifice, culture, and survival.

🎥 IMDb: Ryan Smith

“Ultimately, the goal was to tell a story that not only informs but also honors the resilience, humanity, and hope of those affected by the war.” — Ryan Smith