New Irish war movie racks up nearly 500,000 views on YouTube

The film is available to watch for free on YouTube now.

Written, directed by and starring brothers Kealan Ryan and Mark T. Ryan, the 26-minute-long film is set during World War II and follows a group of American soldiers and a group of German soldiers on a collision course within the countryside near the titular Dutch city.

Its plot synopsis reads: "Three American paratroopers get shot down over Holland. Three German infantrymen become part of the effort to find them.

"All will discover that the flag they salute matters little to the gods of war."

Made with the help of Screen Ireland, the short film boasts impressive special effects, locations, and costumes - all of which combine to create what feels like an authentic depiction of World War II combat.

Within this recreation, the Ryan brothers craft a story filled with shocking, devastating moments - which culminates in a powerful anti-war message.

The film's closing titles directly link this past conflict to the ongoing war in Ukraine—something all the more poignant given that the short was made with the help of several Ukrainian crew members.

On this, Kealan Ryan told JOE: "The project grew arms and legs and we ended up making it as an anti-war message in consultation with United24 (Ukrainian government organisation responsible for international fundraising).

"Our EP [executive producer], composer, VFX contributors are all Ukrainian refugees as well as some still over there, sometimes collaborating, literally as missiles were flying overhead.

"We teamed up with a German production company who specialise in WW2 films and together I feel we made something really special."

Having picked up the best film award at the Underground Cinema International Film Festival, Somewhere Near Nijmegen is available to watch on YouTube now.

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