Shropshire Council is proud to host the first public performance in Shropshire of a new documentary called Children (PG) about young members of the Ukrainian community at the Old Market Hall Cinema in Shrewsbury on Saturday 17 May at 11am.
This is the second film to be made by Ukrainian film maker Lora Arkhypenko, who fled her home in Kyiv the day after the Russian invasion, and has been made with support from Shropshire Council, Shropshire Supports Refugees and has been 100% funded by Homes for Ukraine.
Children is not just a film about war or emigration, it is a story about a generation growing up between two worlds, learning to find its place in a new reality while holding on to its roots.
It is also a story of a mother’s love—steadfast, nurturing and unwavering—as she stands by her child through uncertainty, offering reassurance, strength and a sense of belonging wherever they go.
Lora, who is originally from Odesa, was studying for a degree in film making when she and her daughter were forced to flee Kyiv. Since then, she has completed her film studies at Newtown College and screened her first film ‘Women’ at multiple venues. Women gained international press coverage and awards, and Lora hopes ‘Children‘ will receive equal levels of support. To help the audience understand more about the plight of Ukrainian families who now call Shropshire their home, Lora will conduct a short questions and answers session at the end of the film.
Lora said of her films:
My first film ‘Women’ was about Ukrainian women who fled from Ukraine and the issues that they have lived with since arriving in the UK. ‘Children’ picks up their story and more importantly focuses attention on their children who, in some instances have spent more of their young lives in the UK than Ukraine and adapted to life in Shropshire.
A trailer is available for the film on https://vimeo.com/1068873294
Craig Reeves, assistant theatre manager from The Old Market Hall Cinema said:
We are delighted to be working with Lora once again. It’s been inspirational to hear about the resilience of the younger members of the Ukrainian community and it’s an honour to be able to help share their stories.
To find out more about the film and to buy tickets follow this link: Children (PG) at Old Market Hall
An additional screening is also planned for June.
