What links the nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl and a repetitive tapping noise on shortwave radio known as the ‘Russian Woodpecker’? Is it conceivable that the 1986 disaster was a distraction to cover up the failure of a Soviet attempt to jam Western communication systems? Lovers of conspiracy theories will lap up the bringing together of two seemingly unrelated incidents in Chad Gracia’s debut documentary, as he pieces together a murky past of secrets and lies to try and give some meaning to the consequences of the Chernobyl tragedy.
Fedor Alexandrovich is the subject of the film and, with his shock of hair and crazed eyes, he has the look of the eccentric conspiracy theorist down pat. He’s also a performance artist, which offers opportunities to capture iconic imagery such as Alexandrovich wrapped in plastic and waving a fiery torch through an abandoned classroom littered with gas masks. This absurdist streak might not add much mettle to taking the cover-up theory seriously, but it gives some colour to a grey and shadowy exploration of bureaucracy and misuse of power.
Alexandrovich seems fearless in his search for the truth but eventually gets spooked by becoming the poster boy for the film and fears for the safety of his family. The EuroMaidan uprising is a well-matched current-day backdrop and adds to the element of danger – cinematographer Artem Ryzhykov was injured by sniper fire during the protests.
The Russian Woodpecker jumps between time zones, splices chaos with cold facts, and contrasts avant-garde imagery with stark and brutal surroundings. There’s a lot going on here but Gracia stoically keeps it all on track and delivers a chilling and thought-provoking insight into the Ukraine-Russia conflict of the past and present.
BY CHRIS GIRDLER
