Four Romanians marked by the war in Afghanistan – Costi, Dan, Matei, and Bianca (the widow of a fallen comrade) – speak openly about the profound impact of the physical and psychological wounds they carry. Combining personal confessions with private archive footage, field recordings, and moments from their lives post-deployment, The Living Ones becomes a collective therapy session. The film offers a space for empathy and reflection on trauma, guilt, suffering, and the difficult journey toward rebuilding the self.