A Non-Fictional War – A Theatrical Journey Through Turmoil and Resilience

New Orleans, LA (June 2024) — The tranquility of an ordinary morning on February 23, 2022, was shattered for Sasha and Slava, a Ukrainian couple facing everyday struggles from child-rearing to financial worries. Below the surface of routine quarrels and mundane concerns, tension brewed over the growing dread of an invasion. Within 24 hours, their simmering fears exploded into reality as war engulfed Europe, marking a profound collision between the mundane and the catastrophic.

This stark transformation is at the heart of “Oleksandra Basko’s A Non-Fictional War,” a groundbreaking theater-on-film production by New Orleans-based Moscow Nights. Directed by Natasha O. Ramer, the film adaptation of Oleksandra Basko’s heartfelt diary, captures her turmoil in the initial days of the war. Moved by Basko’s poignant accounts amidst her own emotional turmoil, Ramer felt compelled to share the intimate narratives with a global audience.

“A Non-Fictional War” graphically depicts the abrupt plunge into conflict—emphasized by severe food shortages, the necessity of cash transactions and the constant echo of air raid sirens. Stage veterans Erin Cessna and Casey D. Groves give riveting portrayals of Sasha and Slava, exploring a vast array of emotions as they confront the grim realities of war. Through Sasha’s perspective, played by Cessna, the audience follows along on a transformative journey from depths of despair to a resilient, hopeful belief in the endurance of the human spirit.

Ramer’s personal connection to the story enriches the film’s authenticity. Having spent her formative years in Ukraine and Lithuania before moving to Moscow, Ramer’s roots in Eastern Europe are deeply embedded. Since emigrating to the U.S. in 1982 and founding Moscow Nights, she has been committed to promoting a deeper understanding of Eastern European culture through the arts. 

“The invasion resonated deeply within me, igniting a desire to articulate my distress,” Ramer reveals. “Oleksandra Basko’s diary became a powerful medium to convey this profound narrative of despair and resilience.”

The film’s authenticity is meticulously upheld by a talented team, including executive director and executive producer Murrell “Ray” White, Jr. Contributions from Tulane University scholars such as Samuel C. Ramer, who translated Basko’s reflections into English, and visually captivating work by cinematographer Antony Sandoval enrich the narrative. Additional artistic elements from set and scenic designer Diana Cupsa, lighting designer Samuel Verdina, and choreographers Anthony Neuman and Jeffrey Gunshol, further elevate the production.

“A Non-Fictional War” is more than just a film; it stands as a poignant testament to the resilience found in the direst circumstances and acts as a bridge connecting distant lands with shared histories and realities.