Imagine you’re in a punk band with your best mates. You’ve done a load of gigs and carved a small name for yourselves in your local scene. You’ve spent years honing your songs and have nearly finished recording your debut album. Then Russia invades your country and everything goes up in smoke. That’s what happened to Anastasiia, Mariana and Natalya, collectively known as Death Pill an all-female punk band from Ukraine. As they were putting the finishing touches to their debut album, Russia launched a full scale invasion of their home, forcing the band to separate across continents. The documentary ‘Go Your Way’ follows the band as they reunite to perform their fury-filled punk in closely packed venues on the UK leg of their European tour. As war rages back home, the trio find purpose through their music and strength in their friendship, while the clock is counting down on their time together before they will soon be separated once again.
Despite the war forcing the girls apart to different countries, their album did actually come out (released a year to the day Russia invaded by a small London record label). Separated for over a year and a half, the girls then had the opportunity to reunite for a three week European tour (their first ever gigs outside Ukraine) in June 2023. This is the backdrop to Dan Baskerville’s film ‘Go Your Way’ which picks up the Death Pill story as they embark on the UK leg of the tour.
’Go Your Way’ is not a film about the war, nevertheless it is very much part of Death Pill, and clearly it’s not something they can or want to shy away from, as they say in the film: “This is not just a tour for us”. However, Baskerville’s film does not to force things, letting the girls’ story slowly unfold whilst allowing them to be themselves. They talk about each other and the war of course, their beginnings, they muck about in the studio. There is some furious punk rock as they kick it out on stage, surprised and touched by the welcome they receive from the Brits. Throughout the film, there is a warmth and candour which is surprising as it is charming, it’s hard not to fall for them. But of course reality is never far away, the fun and the excitement will have to end, and they have to come to terms with the fact that when this tour is over, they will head their separate ways again. What ‘Go Your Way’ is ultimately about is friendship. An intimate, sometimes bittersweet portrait of three mates, whose once happy lives have irrevocably changed. It’s funny, moving, heartfelt, at times sad, but also uplifting. Allowing us the audience to experience with Anastasiia, Mariana and Natalya, a vignette or moment in time, that may never be repeated in quite the same way.
‘Go Your Way’ receives a very special press/preview at a curated screening event at ‘The Frontline Club’ in London, on the 21st June. Set up in 2003, the Frontline Club quickly became a centre for a diverse group of people united by their passion for quality journalism and dedication to ensuring that stories that fade from headlines are kept in sharp focus. The added bonus is that all of Death Pill, Mariana, Natalya and Anastasiia will be coming to the UK to attend the event and will be doing a Q&A after the screening along with director Dan Baskerville. It’s the first time the girls have been together since the tour last year.
Tickets available here
The following week on June 29th, ‘Go Your Way‘ will receive its full film festival premiere as an official selection at the Brighton Rocks international Film Festival. A festival that aims to give maximum support to emerging filmmakers and to become the UK’s main forum for indie and underground cinema. The screening is scheduled for 1-3 pm at the Manchester Street Arts Club. Once again, all three members of Death Pill plus the director will be in attendance for a Q&A post the screening.
Tickets available here
For more information on Death Pill please check out their instagram and facebook.
