Sat, Aug 16th, 2:30 PM @ TCL CHINESE 6 THEATRE || #6
By Juan Markos
Los Angeles, CA, (The Hollywood Times) 08/09/2025 “Rock Paper Scissors,” a short film written and directed by Franz Böhm, is based on a true story about Ivan and his father, who run a makeshift hospital infirmary on the frontlines of the Ukraine-Russia war. The film opens with a young man and a boy playing Rock Paper Scissors, while the agonizing sounds of patients in the hospital can be heard in the background. Ivan, played by Oleksandr Rudynskyy, initially appears to be in a night setting until he steps out into the daylight to see a truck approaching; they are waiting to be rescued.
Much has been said about the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, but as Americans, many of us cannot fully comprehend the reality of war on our own soil. Reading about these events in headlines can never truly convey the horror of such experiences. This film takes us to the heart of this ongoing conflict, which has persisted for several years.
Ivan faces the harsh truth that he is the one who can save his father and the patients in the hospital. His father is a doctor trying to cure the victims of this disastrous situation. It’s difficult to imagine what role one would play in such a circumstance, but they are there to help others, risking everything. Ivan takes it upon himself to protect his family. A wounded soldier in the infirmary has a weapon, and Ivan decides to take it to defend them.
He learns through the radio that only he and his father are present. Summoning his courage, Ivan prepares to confront the soldiers. However, there are eight Russian soldiers and not enough ammunition to take them all down. In a desperate attempt to distract them from their bunker, Ivan shoots himself in the leg. The soldiers are then ordered over the radio to abandon the area, and as they leave, they are informed about the bunker. An airstrike is called on the area, resulting in a bomb falling and killing everyone inside.
Initially, it may seem absurd for Ivan to shoot himself, but it ultimately saved his life. By not being in the bunker, he avoided the bombing. He did what he had to do to survive and eventually enlisted as a soldier, later losing his life in action. This film highlights the grim reality of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and serves as a sobering reminder that this horror is currently unfolding as you read this.
Rock Paper Scissors will screen at this years Hollyshorts Film Festival in Los Angeles.
