He had a goal to portray the war in Ukraine to a European audience through the experiences of a family that stayed in Kyiv. However, the focus of his film unexpectedly shifted to the workers of the National Circus who didn’t leave and stayed behind to care for the most vulnerable creatures – the animals. The circus offered refuge to the filmmaker, becoming his second family – people he now affectionately refers to as “my friends.”
A year has passed since the premiere of the film Kyiv, Victory Square 2. The square is now called Halitska Square, and Ukraine is one step closer to victory. In his interview with Circus Life, Romain Goupil reflects on his dangerous journey to Ukraine, the global reception of his film, and his plans to revisit his friends.
You decided to come to Ukraine after February 24 to show the full-scale war through the story of a Ukrainian family. However, thanks to your connection with Vladyslav Kornienko, the National Circus became your second family for the next few months. This was envisioned as a film about people. What were your impressions of the people of Kyiv then?
When I arrived in Kyiv on March 9th, I noticed that many people had left. I saw families fleeing from the war at the train stations. The streets were deserted, and so at first, I saw them as a kind of resistance movement. The people I met in Kyiv clearly seemed prepared to fight back.
I decided to come because I wanted to be closer to the Ukrainian people. I wanted to stand alongside the nation fighting for its independence since the 2014 Maidan Revolution.
I already knew that Vladimir Putin had unleashed a terrible war in Chechnya, captured two regions in Georgia, and caused horror in Syria.
So, when I came to Kyiv, I was very anxious, but I was also filled with a sense of solidarity. Knowing Putin’s actions over the past two decades, I understood how terrible this war was.
I went to Ukraine because I believed that staying silent was not an option. I knew I had to go with a camera. I had to go and speak out. I knew that if I was lucky enough to return to Paris, I would be able to tell about the situation through my film.
Romain Goupil and employees of the National Circus of Ukraine / Photo: personal archive of Bohdana-Valeriia Kornienko
Mr. Romain, when you visited Ukraine, did you realize that this journey could cost you your life?
Yes, in the film Kyiv, Victory Square 2, I talk about the beginning of the journey where each decision could have been fatal.
Was I boarding the right train? Will it be targeted? Will I reach Kyiv? Will Kyiv be under attack? I was constantly aware that I was risking my life. But the difference is, that I made a conscious decision to go to Kyiv and took full responsibility for it. The people in Ukraine who are being attacked didn’t make that choice.
A lot of men cannot leave because they must defend their country. By coming to Ukraine, I knew I was risking my life just like they did. When we met in the city’s nearly deserted streets, we gave each other a gentle smile. They met a foreigner and seemed to think, ‘Look, he chose to come here, even though he didn’t have to.’
I didn’t know if I would find a family or a place to stay in Kyiv. I don’t speak English well enough and I don’t speak Ukrainian at all, so I don’t understand anything.
The families were filled with despair, fleeing to Western Ukraine or abroad. It seemed improbable for the men who stayed in Kyiv to just say to a stranger, ‘Make yourself at home at our apartment.’
So it felt like a miracle when Volodymyr Kornienko, the director of the National Circus, responded to my request with, ‘Okay, welcome. Come, you’ll be part of our big family. Nobody knows what will happen, but you can stay with us.’ And so I became part of the circus team, almost like a clown or another performer.
Time seemed to stop. The whole city stopped. Day by day, step by step, I filmed the beginning of the movie – with the animals, the people, the staff, the whole team.
I became like an adopted son to them. I knew nothing about animals, but they started to recognize me after two or three weeks. At first, the tigers roared loudly, but then they got used to me. Surprisingly, this happened right when we realized that Kyiv would win.
The film premiered in Ukraine a year ago. And it’s been almost two years since the start of the war in Ukraine. A lot has changed since then, including the name of the square, which is now called Halitska Square. Has your perspective on your film changed?
The film accurately reflects that time with dates. I arrived on March 9th and left at the beginning of April. This is shown in the film, the dates are there.
People who left Kyiv and watched the film in November were very moved to see the empty city, the curfew, etc. So it serves as a testament to that moment. Ukraine’s victory in the battle for Kyiv on April 2nd instilled hope for overcoming the enemy in Donbas. It reflects that period of anxiety and hope.
Filming of the movie “Kyiv, Victory Square 2” at the National Circus of Ukraine / Photo: personal archive of Bohdana-Valeriia Kornienko
So, you saw the circus at a time when there were only 20 employees in the building and the audience hall was completely empty, but a few weeks ago, we were at the “Halloween” show, where almost all the tickets were sold out. We know how your film was received in Ukraine. What was the reaction to its premiere in France?
Everyone was very surprised when the film premiered in France. The French saw 20 people risking their lives to protect animals that wouldn’t have survived without them.
In France, they were impressed by the solidarity of the nation striving to procure meat, feed, and other food for the animals even during the war. And everyone helped and took care of these animals, despite needing help and support themselves.
For 4 weeks, the animals were locked indoors. Despite receiving proper care, they were very frightened and felt helpless. But they were very happy once the most challenging times had passed and they once again heard music and applause. There were a lot of discussions in French society about the strong metaphor conveyed through the animals.
And how do you perceive the reaction of French society to the war in Ukraine today?
Apart from the conflict in Yugoslavia, this is the first war in Europe in the last 70 years. When it started, the French reacted with, ‘Oh my God, this horror is starting again, let’s hope the war ends quickly.’
French people shared the sentiment of Ukrainians, saying that we must stand up to Russia, but the conflict shouldn’t last long. We provided some military assistance, so Ukraine wouldn’t lose the war, but not quickly enough for Russia to lose. This led to a disaster. That is, people here didn’t seem to understand that it’s absolutely crucial for the whole of Europe, for me, for us, for you, that Ukraine wins the war against Russia.
And now, there’s an increasing concern that the war might drag on, potentially leading to a frozen conflict. Like in North and South Korea, in Cyprus, or in the case of the Dayton Agreements in Yugoslavia, the conflict may end unfairly, resulting in numerous deaths, significant drama, and a ruined country. Because Europe didn’t react appropriately, hoping the situation would resolve on its own.
Filming of the “Kyiv, Victory Square 2” / Photo: personal archive of Bohdana-Valeriia Kornienko
The whole world sees that the war is escalating. Bombings continue and many lives are being lost in Ukraine. Looking to the future, does Europe understand that there are still ways it can help? And do you personally have plans to return to Ukraine?
When I left Kyiv, I promised to return. I said that I would come back to show the film in Ukraine before releasing it in France. That was my first promise, and I kept it. This was a promise to my friends: Vladyslav Kornienko’s daughter Dana, who assisted me during the filming and is also a filmmaker, Danylo, with whom I was in Bucha, and Volodymyr, who drove us through the checkpoints. I said I would definitely return to make a film about the Ukrainian victory. Unfortunately, the latter doesn’t depend on me.
Regarding the situation in Europe, we need to understand that we are talking about democratic regimes, where we first need to influence public opinion, which is why things are a bit slow. The French president didn’t immediately start talking about victory in his speeches. He later stated that Ukraine must win, not just for its own sake but for all of Europe, to prevent the scenarios of Chechnya, Georgia, and Syria from happening again. This has to be a victory over Putin.
We deeply appreciate the support from the French people and the entire world. We noticed that the film is not easily accessible to the public. Mr. Romain, where can Ukrainian and French audiences watch the film?
The film was broadcast on the largest French TV channel, France 2, and then remained available on this platform for 8-9 months, so everyone could watch it. We also granted the National Circus of Ukraine and Vladyslav Kornienko the right to screen it. For a while, it was broadcast in the circus and film school, as well as shown in other circus-related projects.
The team of the National Circus of Ukraine at the premiere of the film “Kyiv, Victory Square 2” / Photo: personal archive of Bohdana-Valeriia Kornienko
Unfortunately, right now the film lacks public access and there is no link available. Perhaps we will have to negotiate with the Ukrainians to make sure the film is freely accessible.
The first thing we’d like to do is to return to Ukraine and witness the victory over Putin. And there we’ll show this film along with some others that share this hope.
All of us – Vladyslav, Dana, Danylo – have kept in touch, communicating at least once a week since my visit to Kyiv in November. And every time we hang up the phone, we tell each other, ‘Next time we’ll meet in Kyiv, not just over the phone’.
Our final question: Will the circus be the first place you visit in Ukraine?
Something very tragic happened when I came back in November. Just a day before my arrival, Mykola Kozyrev, a circus employee, passed away during a performance. Mr. Kozyrev had always been close to the animals, whom I featured in my film.
When the whole circus watched the film, everything reminded us of Mr. Kozyrev – every frame, from the one with the tiger to the one with the circus. Everyone was crying, and it felt like we were watching the film in his memory.
Upon my next return, I plan to visit the circus first, reunite with my friends, and hope for a more positive experience. So, of course, my next visit to Kyiv will be to greet everyone and share tears of joy – rejoicing in our reunion and the arrival of peace. But we’ll also remember the difficult times.
Look at what they gave me at the end of the film. I was awarded a medal recognizing my contributions to the circus. It’s an honorary medal, and now I am a member of the circus family. I can come to the circus whenever I want. So, I am practically a circus clown now [laughs]. With this medal, I feel like I am at home there. I am part of the family. It’s such a great honor.
Mr. Romain, you have become more than just a part of the Ukrainian circus; you are now a part of Ukraine. I’m sure our readers will see this interview and warmly welcome you when you visit us. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support of Ukraine! Thank you for being with us today!
Glory to Ukraine!
Glory to the Heroes!
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