The Final Journey

When his wife passes away, Eduard decides it’s time to revisit his past in this beautifully shot and expertly acted film. Reluctantly along for the ride is Eduard’s granddaughter Adele, who hasn’t had much of a relationship with her grandfather. While Eduard has spent his life hiding from his past, Adele begins slowly learning more and more about him. And it isn’t long before the motivation for this road trip becomes clear. Set during the beginning of the Ukraine / Russian conflict of 2014, The Final Journey follows Eduard and Adele as they travel from Germany to the Ukraine in search of a woman Eduard loved while fighting with the Cossacks against Russia during WWII. Providing a fascinating perspective on past wars, The Final Journey doesn’t shy away from the emotional impact of spending one’s life feeling the effects of one war while heading straight into another one - literally and figuratively. Life’s a harrowing journey for children of war. (Cleveland International Film Festival)