Barbara Włodarczyk has been dealing with the topic of former Soviet Union countries and their inhabitants for almost 30 years. The journalist spent a number of years as a correspondent for TVP in Moscow. During that time she shot a series of her most famous documentaries ‘Wide Tracks’, which presented the reality of life in the post Soviet countries. In 2013 she published a book titled ‘Many Shades of Russia’ (Nie ma jednej Rosji). This year she received the Grand Press Award for her latest documentary ‘Sacred War of the Russians’ which depicts Russian souls and national pride. Russia is unbeatable and will successfully fight any enemy – say the Russians. A famous Soviet war song ‘Sacred War’ can be heard again both in Moscow and in the Crimea. For over 80% of the Russians the victory of the Soviet Union in WWII is the main reason to celebrate national pride. There are no greater holidays in Russia than the 9th May – the anniversary of Victory Day. Every year it is a grand festival with parades and celebrations across the whole country. Whatever negative comment there might be about the Red Army, it is perceived as an attack on the symbol of glory. In the documentary, the director asks questions like: Why do the Russians perceive war as sacred? What are the opinions of regular people on the conflict in Ukraine or the involvement of Russian soldiers in Donbas? In order to find out the truth she talks to a number of different people: a participant of Leningrad blockage, soldiers who fought in Afghanistan and Chechnya, members of the Aleksandrov Choir who sing the song ‘Sacred War’ and many others.