On 7 November 2026, the fourth day of filming for the documentary Before the Siren (Verificare pentru viață / Проверка на жизнь) took place in central Chișinău. The film follows journalist and producer Pavel Sidorenco, who nearly died from a serious illness in 2003. City authorities approved temporary traffic restrictions on 31 August 1989 Street to accommodate the shoot.
A story that began 23 years ago
In 2003, Pavel Sidorenco suffered necrotizing pancreatitis, a serious condition that destroys pancreatic tissue and can be life-threatening.
An ambulance was called four times, but he refused hospitalization on the first three occasions. Twenty-three years later, the experience has become the subject of a documentary.
The film is directed by Ekaterina Sidorenco. Pavel Sidorenco is its screenwriter, producer and central subject, while Stepan Frunze serves as director of photography.
Before the Siren is not simply a film about illness. It asks why people delay seeking medical care even when they understand the risks.
The filmmakers revisit the events of 2003 through personal accounts, interviews with doctors and footage shot at medical facilities. The story also examines the decisions people make today and their consequences.
Fourth day of filming in the city centre
On 7 November, the crew worked in central Chișinău and near several medical institutions.
Arrangements began a month and a half before the scheduled shoot. Early coordination with municipal authorities, police and medical services enabled the crew to work efficiently.
Temporary traffic restrictions were approved for the section of 31 August 1989 Street between Serghei Lazo and Petru Movilă streets. Mayoral Order No. 526-d, signed on 3 November 2026, provided for traffic stoppages lasting between five and 30 minutes.
The crew also filmed near the Institute of Emergency Medicine, the Oncology Institute and other locations connected to the story.
Acknowledging those who helped make the shoot possible
BizSamurai Production thanks the National Centre for Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Assistance (CNAMUP), Chișinău City Hall and its departments, the General Police Inspectorate (IGP), the National Public Security Inspectorate (INSP), the State Protection and Guard Service (SPPS), the Ministry of Health, and the management and staff of medical institutions that assisted the production.
The team is especially grateful to ambulance personnel, police officers and municipal employees who helped coordinate work on location.
The filmmakers also apologize to residents and visitors for any inconvenience caused by the temporary traffic restrictions.
The doctors behind the survival story
The documentary features doctors who helped save Pavel Sidorenco’s life in 2003.
They include Professor Georgiy Alexandrovich Angelich, a surgeon who has already taken part in filming, and Cornelia Trofimovna Guțu-Bahov, head of the second intensive care unit at Sfânta Treime Municipal Clinical Hospital.
Their accounts will help reconstruct events from the perspectives of both the patient and the medical professionals.
The filmmakers also plan to compare the memories of other participants, including the protagonist’s relatives. After 23 years, recollections and interpretations may differ.
An independent Moldovan documentary
Before the Siren is produced by BizSamurai Production, which has made television programmes, interviews and reports in Russian and Romanian for more than three years. Its output exceeds 880 episodes, including Business Heroes of Our Time, The Hero’s Credo, The Hero’s Burden and Hero of the Future.
The team is also expanding into documentary and fiction filmmaking.
The planned running time is approximately 52 minutes. The filmmakers hope to present the documentary at festivals in 2027.
The film is being made without funding from the Republic of Moldova’s state budget or financial support from the National Centre of Cinematography (CNC).
Organizational and institutional assistance has been provided by the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Health, CNC, Chișinău City Hall and its departments, CNAMUP, IGP, INSP, SPPS, the General Inspectorate of Border Police and Sfânta Treime Municipal Clinical Hospital.
Project partners include medical company Invitro and law firm Crowe Turcan Mikhailenko. PORT MALL has been announced as a partner for the planned premiere.
The film aims to raise awareness of the risks of delaying medical care and the importance of taking responsibility for one’s health.
Production: PRODEZVOLT S.R.L. / BizSamurai Production, Republic of Moldova
Director: Ekaterina Sidorenco
Writer, producer and central subject: Pavel Sidorenco
Director of photography: Stepan Frunze
International title: Before the Siren
Official film page: https://bizsamurai.me/ru/films/before-the-siren