In 2015, Russia reclaimed the city of Donetsk from Ukraine. Since then, the two countries have been fighting each other over the region. Thousands have died, gunfire is within earshot and soldiers patrol the streets.
Yet, as is apparent from the new SBS Viceland show Big Night Out, the youth of the town refuse to cower from the conflict and hole themselves up indoors. British host Clive Martin accompanies a variety of teenagers as they make the best of their situation, riding bikes until the 11pm curfew, going clubbing and arranging their own secret late night house parties.
On this week’s episode of SBS’s culture podcast The Playlist, Nick and Fiona discuss the stirring series’ first episode in Donetsk as well as the second, which takes Clive to Kos, a Greek island struggling with a collapsed economy and refugee immigration.
Spoiler alert: Nick wasn’t that into the first episode but he did find the second quite moving. He’s not made of stone, after all. Or is he? (Spoiler alert #2: He’s not.)
But what did Fiona think of the show? Can it manage the weight of its subject matter? What does Nick think of the host’s face?
Find out by listening to the entire conversation here:
Listen to SBS’s The Playlist podcast, produced by Dan McHugh, on iTunes or Soundcloud. Be sure to subscribe and leave a review. And if you have any questions for us, get in touch with SBS Movies on Facebook or Twitter or send us an email at .
Nick Bhasin is the editor of The Guide. Follow him on . is the Movies editor. Follow her on Twitter too.
Big Night Out airs Tuesdays on SBS Viceland at 9:30pm. After they air, episodes are available on SBS On Demand.
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