Documentary

Anything for a better future

A 19-year-old foreign student grew up in a small village with limited opportunities but big ambitions. When he receives a scholarship to study at a Russian university, it feels like the first real step toward a better future. He moves to Russia full of hope, expecting education to be his way forward.

However, the reality proves more difficult than expected. Faced with cultural challenges, financial pressure, and limited support, he is offered Russian citizenship and money in exchange for joining the military. Hoping this would provide more security, he agrees, unaware of what lies ahead. Within months, he is deployed to Ukraine as a foreign soldier in the Russian army.

Motivated by the dream of a better life and driven by the need to survive, he begins documenting his everyday experiences during military service. The footage he captures offers a rare look at the war through the eyes of a young foreigner filming from within the Russian ranks. His videos are personal and observational, showing moments of confusion, adaptation, and reflection.

Anything for a Better Future follows a two-year journey, combining his footage with interviews and context to build a thoughtful portrait of a young man caught between two worlds. The documentary explores themes of identity, resilience, and the complex paths that migration, ambition, and survival can take in times of global instability.

Trailer

A film by Kars Tuinder

Producer: JTKT Productions

Distributor: Mailuki Films

Assistant in Nepal: Subeen Shrestha

Advisors & Translations: Saujanya Parajuli, Gautam Dhimal

Music: Nay Htet Soe Moe

Editing: James Yan, Phonchai Wongyai

Animation: Phonchai Wongyai

Color grading: Sahassawat Sirirotemarnka

A special thank you to Tim Schulte Havermann

Many thanks to my mentor Dave Mclean