Surviving Earth

When we first meet Vlad, a charismatic Yugoslav refugee, he appears larger than life. A recovering addict who cherishes his teenage daughter and hard-won friendships, he bursts with possibility. During the day he counsels fellow addicts at a center in Bristol. At night, he finds joy playing music with fellow Slavic refugees. Vlad’s energy belies his stability, and his newly built world begins to fracture after a series of unfortunate events. Vlad soldiers on, convincing his bandmates to host a Balkan concert to celebrate their progress as immigrants and musicians, but behind the bravado he wrestles with his demons and the terror of failure. Slavko Sobin’s portrayal of Vlad is formidable in this drama based on true events, the actor achieves a complicated mix of optimism and tragedy without a false note. With riveting performances and stunning musical segments, Surviving Earth is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the daily work of sobriety.—Jessie Fairbanks