When a small southern Ukrainian village is 20 kilometres from the nearest police intervention, ‘who you gonna call?’… The Ukrainian Sheriffs.

In the village of Stara Zburjivka, two deputised sheriffs are instated to watch over the land and mediate any problems the village people may come upon. Filmed as a factual documentary in a style which could be confused with a ‘mockumentary’, Ukrainian Sheriffs provides a funny yet serious insight into Ukrainian village life. Directed by Roman Bondarchuk and credited with no cast names, Ukrainian Sheriffs appears as a low budget, fast cut film full to the brim with humility and eventual cooperation.

Opening upon grey surroundings, Victor and Volodya are introduced as the no-nonsense appointed sheriffs clearly determined to maintain order in the village of Stara Zburjivka. Accusations of adultery, poor craftsmanship and a mysterious case of the disappearance of village dogs are dealt with in this almost factual social comedy. Setting his film amongst politically very challenging times for Ukraine, involving Russian intimidation and a loss of social identity, Bondarchuk manages to maintain a level of seriousness entwined around a plot of ridiculous expectations. There is virtually no style to quite explain the unique and adventurous nature of this documentary.

Ukrainian Sheriffs is a film that despite a clear and direct proposal, fulfils in being a thoroughly enjoyable experience. It attracts a degree of compassion from the audience amongst scenes of humour and of stress. If travel agents manage to succeed at persuading tourists to visit the small village of Stara Zburjivka, this film may serve as an advisory to encourage all dogs to be left at home. And equally to stay out of trouble, lest Victor and Volodya come knocking!

httpvh://youtu.be/29qoEzqw5Mk