Courage Tested in the Shadows of Conflict

Read Time:4 Minute, 55 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Rock, Paper, Scissors
–

Genre: War, Drama
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 21m
Director(s): Franz Böhm
Writer(s): Franz Böhm
Cast: Oleksandr Rudynskyi, Sergey Kalantay, Milosh Luchanko, Sebastian Anton, Yuri Radionov, Oleksandr Yatsenko, Aleksandr Begma
Where to Watch: shown at the 2025 HollyShorts Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: Some stories yell for your attention; others leave a lasting impression through moments told. ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS belongs to the latter. At only twenty-one minutes, Franz Böhm crafts an experience so immediate and emotionally raw that its brevity feels deceptive. This is not a war story told from afar, but an intimate portrait of survival shaped by those who lived its horror.

Based on a true story and filmed in close collaboration with Ukrainian communities, the short thrusts us into a makeshift hospital on the frontline of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Ivan (Oleksandr Rudynskyi) and his father Bohdan (Sergey Kalantay) tend to the wounded underground, hoping for evacuation. When enemy troops close in, the film’s quiet desperation ignites into a tense and deeply human crisis. Böhm doesn’t rely on heavy-handed exposition; instead, he lets the setting’s bleakness and the characters’ choices do the talking. What results is an unflinching look at sacrifice and survival, one that resonates on a personal level.

Rudynskyi’s performance anchors the film. Barely more than a boy, Ivan faces the unbearable: the possibility of killing to save those he loves. His reluctance is palpable; Böhm frames the act of taking a life not as a moment of glory but as an almost unbearable weight. Even as the world crumbles above him, Ivan’s humanity remains intact, and that refusal to be hardened into something less than human is what makes the film so devastating. Kalantay’s Bohdan provides a strength, embodying the resilience of those who have no choice but to keep going.

Cinematographer Sunshine Hsien Yu Niu’s handheld camerawork, combined with the use of vintage lenses provided by Greig Fraser ASC ACS, gives the film a tactile, lived-in quality. There’s no veneer, no artificial shine. The bunker’s dirt floors, flickering lights, and echoes of shelling above create an atmosphere that feels suffocatingly real. Böhm’s film has no interest in sanitizing the brutality of war. Instead, it insists on truth — harsh, heartbreaking, and necessary.

One of the film’s most striking qualities is its restraint. The narrative never overexplains or manipulates. Even the title carries thematic weight without spelling out its meaning. The children’s game becomes a quiet metaphor for the arbitrary cruelty of life in wartime: sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes there’s no winning move at all. That symbolic layer underscores the universality of the story; while it is unmistakably Ukrainian, it speaks to all who have endured conflict and displacement.

Producer Hayder Rothschild Hoozeer’s experience in Ukraine during active bombardment and personal ties to those displaced by war infuse the film with sincerity. It’s not just about depicting trauma; it’s about honoring those living it. This urgency is part of what propelled the movie to its BAFTA win for Best British Short Film and its selection at HollyShorts — milestones that underscore how art can amplify voices often drowned out by headlines.

Where some war narratives lean on action or political context, ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS is about people. It’s about what happens when civilians are thrust into impossible situations and still manage to choose compassion over cruelty. The film refuses to romanticize suffering or villainize indiscriminately. Instead, it portrays war as it is: messy, senseless, and deeply personal. That nuance makes its impact all the more profound.

Böhm has said, “This is more than a film. It’s a tribute to real people living through hell—and fighting for hope.” That sentiment defines every frame. ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS is not simply a short designed to earn festival accolades; it’s an act of remembrance and resistance. It demands empathy from its viewers without sensationalism, which is rare for films about war.

In the end, this is a story that doesn’t just aim to move; it succeeds in making us reflect. On the people still living in this reality. On the privilege of peace. On the choices that define us when survival is not guaranteed. For those reasons, ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS earns its place as a difficult watch but an essential one, proving that sometimes the bravest act is simply not turning away.

Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.

You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. My social media accounts can also be found on most platforms by searching for 'Overly Honest Reviews'.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please don't hesitate to say hello or send me any questions about movies.

[photo courtesy of NATIONAL FILM AND TELEVISION SCHOOL (NFTS), WHO'S HERE]

DISCLAIMER:
At Overly Honest Movie Reviews, we value honesty and transparency. Occasionally, we receive complimentary items for review, including DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, Vinyl Records, Books, and more. We assure you that these arrangements do not influence our reviews, as we are committed to providing unbiased and sincere evaluations. We aim to help you make informed entertainment choices regardless of our relationship with distributors or producers.

Amazon Affiliate Links:
Additionally, this site contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a commission. This affiliate arrangement does not affect our commitment to honest reviews and helps support our site. We appreciate your trust and support in navigating these links.