Viktor

I’m a French documentary Director and Cinematographer based in New York. In 2011, my life took an unexpected turn when I was severely wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade while documenting the civil war in Libya. I spent nine months in the hospital, during which I lost part of my right hand and lost hearing in my right ear. Living with single-sided deafness has fundamentally reshaped my understanding of the world, including my perception of sound and silence. It is this very perspective that has driven me to explore the world of a Deaf man set against the chaos of war and the deep, unseen scars that war leaves on the Deaf community.

My film is a feature documentary about a Deaf Ukrainian man named Viktor who is desperate to find his place in the world during Russia's brutal invasion of his homeland. It's a story about belonging, resilience, and the struggle for survival in a world that is so brutally loud for some, and painfully silent for others. Viktor's journey explores his transition from romanticizing war to understanding its grim realities. He realizes that violence is not an end but only a necessary means of defense against aggression in a brutal war. However, drawing from the principles of the samurai, he chooses a different path—one focused on self-improvement, inner strength, and compassion, and on contributing to the war effort from his civilian life.

Viktor's decision to share his story and expose his vulnerabilities for the film, especially in the context of the war, demonstrates incredible courage and resilience. Viktor and I developed a unique method of communication that combined basic Russian Sign Language (which I learned specifically for this project), written notes, and visual aids. Throughout the nearly two-year filmmaking process, I made it a priority to maintain Viktor’s trust by regularly checking in with him, keeping him informed about the project's progress, and addressing any concerns he might have. This consistent partnership empowered Viktor to confidently step into the spotlight, ensuring his narrative was told with the authenticity and care it deserved.

Working alone as a filmmaker in a war zone, I faced huge challenges. Managing sound, directing, and cinematography in such an unpredictable environment demanded heightened awareness and constant adaptability. Balancing safety for myself and Viktor with the need to capture the story added a complex layer to maintaining my artistic vision under very dangerous and stressful conditions. Despite my limited resources and manpower, and the incredibly tense environment in which I worked, my goal was always to find the beauty amid the horror, and create striking imagery that will stand the test of time. I hope I succeeded.

The sonic impression of the story was a quintessential part of VIKTOR. Our collaboration with the Oscar-winning Sound of Metal team, Nicolas Becker and Keikki Kossi, joined by Peter Albrechtsen, blended unique soundscapes to create an intense and very unique aural experience. Becker’s extensive work with the d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, along with his innovative sound design techniques, helped us immerse the audience in Viktor's world.

As a filmmaker who has lost part of his hearing in the battlefield, returning to war to tell the story of a Deaf man was a deeply personal journey for me. It’s a story that mirrors my own struggles. It’s a way for me to connect with my own challenges and show the strength that comes from facing adversity, all through the lens of my camera.

Making this film was an incredible risk for both myself, and for Viktor. I hope that it raises awareness for a community that is so often overlooked, especially during wartime. That even during Russia’s senseless invasion of Ukraine, its most vulnerable citizens can stand bravely in defiance.

- Olivier Sarbil

Olivier Sarbil

Olivier Sarbil is a multi-award winning French documentary Director and two-time Emmy® winning Cinematographer. Over the past two decades, Olivier has worked extensively in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America and Asia, on many of the most pressing global conflicts and social issues that the world has faced. 

In 2011, his life took an unexpected turn when he was severely wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade while documenting the civil war in Libya. His wounds only strengthened his resolve to continue telling stories that further the understanding of the human condition, in all its contradictions. 

In 2018, Olivier directed the critically acclaimed feature documentary, On the President's Orders, which documents the violent war on drugs in the Philippines and garnered an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Documentary. Variety described it as “a wholly cinematic, sensory experience, with straight-ahead reportage electrified by glaring streetlights and a panicked urban wall of sound.”

For his previous film, Mosul, Olivier spent six months embedded with the Iraqi Special Forces fighting ISIS. The resulting documentary provided a searing look at the ongoing conflict and won an Emmy for best cinematography, as well as being nominated for an additional Emmy for best documentary and a BAFTA for cinematography. The Guardian described the film as “an astonishing portrait of urban combat, and a gripping reflection of the universal, eternal truth of warfare.”

Biographical notes provided by the film production team