Theatre on Film Series

Oleksandra Basko’s “A Non-Fictional War” is a gripping, present saga of her family’s personal journey through the strife and uncertainty of the Russo-Ukrainian War and Putin’s full-scale invasion of her country. Adapted into dramatic form by Artistic Director Natasha O. Ramer, this theatrical work captures the universal terror that transcends political and geographic borders, focusing on the human experience, particularly that of a mother seeking the protection, growth, and betterment of her husband and three children.

Moscow Nights’ Ramer discovered Oleksandra’s real-time biography online and was moved to bring the universal experiences of her life in a war-torn country to the greater world by adapting her memoirs into a dramatic production. The narrative starkly depicts the abrupt plunge into conflict, emphasizing severe food shortages, the necessity of cash transactions, and the constant echo of air raid sirens.

On February 23, 2022, the tranquility of an ordinary morning for Sasha and Slava, a Ukrainian couple, was shattered. Within 24 hours, their simmering fears of invasion exploded into reality as war engulfed Europe, marking a profound collision between the mundane and the catastrophic. This transformation is at the heart of “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. 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 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., with 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. 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. This theatrical work aims to share the personal saga of Oleksandra and her family in this current, unfolding conflict that has gripped the world’s attention, offering a lone voice pulled from the noise of the 24-hour news cycle, as she explains current events to her children, fears for their safety, looks to her husband for shared strength, and tries each day to see the light from the dawn of a day without war.

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