Love, war, and a 1986 Volkswagen – a film where filmmaking itself becomes a language of love.

In the quiet of their home, filmmaker Maryna Nikolcheva documents her husband Max as he drifts through a midlife crisis. Once celebrated for his art, Max now edits commercials he can’t stand, finding meaning only in the slow, obsessive restoration of a battered old car. Through the lens of Maryna’s camera, we witness the small victories, frustrations, and tender moments that make up their shared life.

When Russia invades Ukraine, the couple is torn apart, connected only through video calls. Amid missile strikes, blackouts, and uncertainty, they confront the fragility of life and the enduring pull of their shared craft. Despite the backdrop of war, Max begins to find happiness again – but, like safety itself, it remains precarious and fleeting.

Funny, intimate, and profoundly moving, “One Day I Wish to See You Happy” is a meditation on marriage, creativity, and resilience – a portrait of a couple’s love and a testament to the healing power of filmmaking.

Mike Arnott