Film maker Lora Arkhypenko
Shropshire Council is proud to host a premier at the Old Market Hall cinema of a new documentary called ‘Children’ about young members of the Ukrainian community in Shropshire.
Ukrainian film maker Lora Arkhypenko, who fled her home in Kyiv the day after the Russian invasion, is hosting the premier of this, her second documentary film, at Shropshire Council’s Old Market Hall cinema in Shrewsbury.
Lora’s first documentary, titled ‘Women’ premiered at the Old Market Hall in 2024 and explored the emotional strength of the Ukrainian women affected by the war.
You can read more about Lora’s first film here:
https://newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk/2024/01/premiere-ukrainian-documentary-film-women/
Lora’s new film focuses on the lives of Ukrainian children since they arrived in the UK and how they and their family are making Shropshire their home.
Through deeply personal stories, the film explores their journey of adaptation, the love and support of their mothers, and the way they balance their Ukrainian roots with their new life. It also delves into the theme of self-identification, as these children navigate growing up between two cultures, shaping their sense of who they are and where they belong.
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, screened ‘Women’ at multiple venues and gained international press coverage about her film.
Subsequently she has been able to produce her film ‘Children’, with funding from Homes for Ukraine and support from Shropshire Council and Shropshire Supports Refugees.
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.
Amanda Jones from Shropshire Support Refugees added:
Shropshire has welcomed hundreds of guests from Ukraine and it’s important that we continue to remember the challenges that they face, as well as celebrating their resilience and how they contribute to the county and enrich all of our lives.
The Premier of Children is a private event, but a public screening will be held at the Old Market Hall cinema in May, and tickets will be released in April through the Old Market Hall.
Visit our website for more details and see what other screenings are available here:
https://www.oldmarkethall.co.uk/
