To “normalize” in such conditions does not mean ignoring pain. Instead, it is a way of staying alive. If people see war only as defeat, then they lose twice—once in reality and once in spirit. By laughing, sticking to routines, and sharing posts that poke fun at hardship, civilians send a quiet yet powerful message: we will not break, even if everything around us falls apart. War coverage significantly impacts collective mental health; however, retelling stories through community and humor is also “a refusal to give in to despair” (Fronts in Minds, 2023). Waddell explains that “continuing daily routines amid bombardment can itself be a political act - a refusal to let an oppressive invasion disrupt one’s dignity.

     The film also encourages viewers to practice empathy. The images are not distant or abstract—they draw us in and make us imagine ourselves there. When we see civilians losing their homes, families, and hopes, a natural thought arises: what if this were happening to me, my family, or my country? It’s the same instinct we often feel in everyday life. For example, when we pass by a car accident, we feel sadness for the people involved, but part of that sadness comes from thinking, 'It could have been me.' However, human beings often hide their actual suffering. Someone who has fallen might say “I’m fine” even when in pain, simply to avoid pity or humiliation. In the same way, as the war continues, Ukrainians also face a deep emotional struggle. They seem less affected by new tragedies, but this is not because they are unaffected; rather, it is because they have become accustomed to them. Like skin that becomes calloused after prolonged pressure, their feelings harden on the surface while they still hurt underneath. Many even feel guilty for not reacting as strongly as before, as if their muted response shows they care less—when in fact, it is just another way to endure. Waddell describes this process as a “feedback loop of emotional numbness,” where people not only grow desensitized to tragedy but also begin to question their own humanity for feeling less. The film’s strength lies in confronting that silence directly. 

     Another key aspect of the documentary is how war images reach us today. In past conflicts, the world rarely saw the full brutality because information spread slowly and was heavily controlled by governments or the media. Today, with social media, cruelty is almost instant, reaching audiences thousands of miles away. Without these platforms, even Ukrainians wouldn't have seen the details of their own war firsthand. These posts have given the world a voice, but at the same time, each new image reopens old wounds. Social media has amplified both awareness and trauma, creating a double-edged sword of exposure. Photographs of suffering can both provoke outrage and desensitize us to the suffering they depict. Waddell avoids this trap by focusing not on spectacle but on honest testimonies. His approach makes the images feel less like distant news and more like a personal plea.

     The title "The Longer You Bleed" suggests that as suffering continues, it becomes more urgent to hold onto hope. Waddell does not celebrate pain but shows how resisting the urge to give up mentally is, in itself, a political act. Empathy plus resilience can open paths to solidarity across borders. For viewers, the message is clear: even if a war feels distant, its human toll is always close to us. History has shown that no country is immune to conflict. This awareness should strengthen the global resolve to oppose war in all its forms. Ethically, war remains fundamentally unjustifiable—its very existence demonstrates how little human life and feelings matter to those in power. Whether through bombs, pandemics, or ignorance, the fate of ordinary people is too often decided by those in authority.

     Ultimately, Waddell’s documentary makes it impossible to ignore the cruelty of war. Using a straightforward yet powerful perspective, it reminds us that solutions won’t come from more violence, but from recognizing our shared vulnerability as humans. The resilience shown by those on screen serves as both a warning and a beacon: resisting despair is a crucial way to keep humanity alive.
 

References:

Güler, K. G., & Günday, E. A. (2025). Fronts in minds: A phenomenological study on the effects of war news on collective mental health. Public Health Nursing, 42(1), 483–493. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13458 

Sontag, S. (2004). Regarding the Pain of Others. Picador. 

Waddell, E. (2025). The Longer You Bleed. 

YouTube. https://youtu.be/PKKkRsqBWug

The article was created as part of the UniVerzió program, in collaboration between the Verzió Film Festival and the Department of Film Studies at Eötvös Loránd University. Instructor: Beja Margitházi.