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In 2019, teenagers from Donbas already understood they had to live quickly, in case catastrophe hit. Gunfire and bombs are the soundtrack of adolescence on the frontlines. Andriy, Ruslan, Ilya, Liza and Lera long for something else to happen, bristling against boredom, transgressing with cigarettes and writing moody poetry. So, when Valentyn, a world-class mountain climber, turns up with an offer to join a Himalayan expedition, escape becomes possible. In a place where live fire erupts at any time, dreaming of peace above the clouds seems almost realistic. Award-winning filmmaker Alisa Kovalenko began shooting a story of five unlikely teen climbers when her own life, and theirs, was completely altered in February 2022. Putting down her camera to join an army battalion, Kovalenko fought on two fronts: literal and cultural. Finishing the film after serving, Kovalenko renders a stunning portrait of youth confronting the unknown, in a place as fragile and ephemeral as adolescence itself. Myrocia Watamaniuk

This documentary includes challenging and/or triggering subject matter. Our Active Listeners are available if you’d like to speak with someone after viewing the film. All conversations with Active Listeners are confidential.

Credits

  • Director(s)

    • Alisa Kovalenko
  • Producer(s)

    • Valery Kalmykov
    • Stephane Siohan
    • Katarzyna Kuczynska
    • Tomasz Morawski
    • Oleksiy Kobelev
  • Writer(s)

    • Alisa Kovalenko
  • Editor(s)

    • Maryna Maykovska
    • Kasia Boniecka
  • Cinematography

    • Alisa Kovalenko
    • Serhiy Stetsenko
  • Composer

    • Wojciech Frycz
  • Sound

    • Mariia Nesterenko
  • Visit the film's website

Promotional Partners

Made In Ukraine program supported by

Temerty Foundation Telefilm Canada Shevchenko Foundation
Made In Ukraine is presented in collaboration with Docudays UA and supported by the Temerty Foundation, Telefilm Canada, and the Shevchenko Foundation.

Sponsored by

UNHCR

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