Documentary

01:20:00

Ukraine

Volodymyr Mula

Synopsis:

The Interception Game explores the unlikely wartime bond between Ukrainian soldiers and footballers through the true story of the Mykhailenko brothers—Serhii, an air defense commander, and Mykola, a player on Ukraine’s Olympic football team.

While one risks his life on the frontline, the other represents his nation on the global stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The film reveals how victories in football can offer hope to those at war—and how both battles are fought for the same future.

It’s a story of brotherhood, resilience, and the invisible thread connecting stadiums and trenches.

DIRECTOR'S BIOGRAPHY

Volodymyr Mula is a film director, producer, sports journalist, Sports Emmy® winner, and Honored Art Worker of Ukraine.

Over his career, he has collaborated with leading international broadcasters, including the BBC (UK), CBS (USA), and CNA (Singapore), covering major global events such as the Eurovision Song Contest (2011–2017), the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the 2016 UEFA European Championship in France, and the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

Mula is best known for his documentaries American Dream: In Search of the Truth (Amazon Prime, 2017) and UKE (Amazon Prime, Apple TV, 2020). In 2021, he directed The Football Nation, chronicling the history of Ukraine’s first soccer team. He served as director and field producer on the Sports Emmy® Award–winning series Football Must Go On (Paramount+/CBS, 2023) and on We're The Zoomers (CNA, 2023).

In 2024, he authored Wayne Called Me, a behind-the-scenes account of making UKE. His latest work, The Interception Game (2025), follows two Ukrainian brothers — one fighting on the battlefield, the other on the football field — set against the backdrop of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Awards

In May 2021, Volodymyr Mula's documentary UKE was recognized as the main media event of the year at the Ukraine Sports Media Awards – 2020, organized by the Association of Sports Journalists of Ukraine.

In September 2021, Volodymyr Mula was awarded the title of Honored Art Worker of Ukraine in recognition of his significant contributions to cinematography, creative achievements, and professional excellence. This prestigious title is conferred by the President of Ukraine to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to the arts and culture of the nation.

In May 2024, at the 45th Sports Emmy® Awards held at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City, Volodymyr Mula received the Emmy award in the category of "Outstanding Documentary Series - Serialized" for his television documentary project Football Must Go On. This honor was presented by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), marking one of the highest distinctions in U.S. television.