The story unfolds in a southern town in the Kherson region. A scientist at the Natural history museum, Yura, witnesses the deliberate arson of a forest. Eager to reveal the truth about the forest fires, he begins working at the local newspaper. However, he soon finds himself caught in a whirlwind of fake news and corruption schemes. With the mayoral elections approaching, the main candidate is making campaign promises despite being in a coma.

Fabian Melchers about The Editorial Office:

The forest is burning, animals are fleeing. As a young biologist, Yuri tries to convince people to do something about the blazing inferno on the horizon. But no one cares about a danger still so far away, even with clear evidence pointing to an arson. When Yuri joins a newspaper to make a difference in the world, this satire gets crazier by the minute.

No one cares about the truth in The Editorial Office. On his first day as a journalist, Yuri gets taught how to make up stories out of thin air and create deepfakes around the upcoming elections. The mayor needs some nice exposure to stay in office, even though he’s actually in a coma. Meanwhile, Yuri’s mom gets conned by an obvious bitcoin fraud and rivaling funeral homes act like fully armed gang members.

Director Roman Bondarchuk creates a Kafkaësque world where common sense seems to be just a glimpse from the past. The Editorial Office is dark, funny and maddening like Brazil or Beau is Afraid, but rooted in a reality far closer to us. Crazily exaggerated, but strikingly painful at the same time.