A new Czech documentary titled “The Great Patriotic Trip” examines the impact of disinformation on perceptions of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Directed by Robin Kvapil, the film follows three individuals—Petra, Ivo, and Nikola—as they embark on a two-week journey through war-torn Ukraine, armed with handheld cameras to document their experiences. Kvapil chose these subjects from a pool of 60 Czechs who expressed doubts about the reality of the war due to misleading information.
The film, set to premiere on August 21, explores parallels between the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia and the current situation in Ukraine. It candidly features the three protagonists, each showcasing their skeptical views—Petra dismisses the war as “nonsense,” Ivo admits to believing in online conspiracy theories, and Nikola posits that Putin is combating Western ideology.
Despite their exposure to war’s severity, the protagonists remain unconvinced, with Ivo stating his views persist unchanged after their trip. Kvapil acknowledges that while he doesn’t expect to change their minds, he aims to capture their “contact with reality.” The film ultimately serves as a commentary on the pervasive nature of disinformation and its effects on society.
