Shards of Light and Fire-Breathing Dragons

A Story from War

The forest just beyond Bucha

This is not a fantasy. I was looking forward to Saturday, September 27, 2025, for the primary reason that I would get to see my friend,

Tristan Ruark

. He’s a solid dude and in a war, the only people you want in your circle must be solid, like a rock or a mountain. Tristan is someone who has fought in war, so his view of the world is different than many. Now, he lives as a dad and husband in a war. Despite that, he maintains an upbeat attitude and a healthy warrior outlook. Deep within him, is the warrior-soldier-artist. Art and war, not the Art of War but also Art In War. Tristan knows the value of Ukrainian art and goes to great lengths to consume it anywhere possible when he’s not busy being a dad and a husband. He passes that along to those around him and it rubs off.

I am not a film festival kinda dude, but Tristan was like, “I’m coming to Kyiv for the Odesa International Film Festival, you need to go.” First, I was like ugh…but it also dawned on me that if I wanted to spend time with a brother and friend, I would have to suck it up. There was no way I could run the same agenda as his so I selected two films on the above date because it’s my regularly scheduled day off. No workee, no payee, so I couldn’t afford to take another day off. Natasha and I rented a place in a formerly occupied village outside Kyiv because Philly…