Children
Synopsis
The sequel to the documentary film WOMEN delves into the lives of Ukrainian children who fled their homeland with their mothers because of the war. Three years have passed since they began adapting to life in the UK. How has the war changed them? What have they lost and what have they gained in their new home?
Through the stories of Mariia, Sonya, Manya and Timofii, the film explores how children experience emigration, build new lives, integrate into society and dream about their futures. The film offers insight into the strength of family bonds, cultural identity and the resilience of young minds. The deep connection between mother and child is the heart of this film, showing how love becomes the anchor that helps them navigate life between two worlds.
Details
- Year
- 2025
- Type of project
- Shorts
- Running time
- 49 min 34 sec
- Format
- Digital, HD (4K)
- Director
-
Lora Arkhypenko
- Producer
- Lora Arkhypenko
- Co-Producer
- Olia Yenko
- Executive Producer
- Lora Arkhypenko
- Editor
- Andrii Kireiev
- Director of Photography
- Lora Arkhypenko
- Principal cast
- With contributions from: Sofiia Arkhypenko, Daria Dmytriieva, Manya Dmytriieva, Oksana Pobudzey, Sofiia Pobudzey, Mariia Pobudzey, Maryna Chukanova, Tymofii Chukanov, Olesia Tanaka, Laura Fisher, Amanda Jones, Cinty Yarnell, Tim Hodgkinson, Annabel Foulger
Genre
Categories
Production Status
Production Company
Lora Arkhypenko
Page updates
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See also
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WOMEN
Director: Lora Arkhypenko
Year: 2024
A powerful and emotional documentary short film that follows the lives of three courageous women who were forced to leave their home country of Ukraine due to ongoing conflict and war. Through this film, the director wanted to shed light on the experiences of Ukrainian incredibly strong and resilient women. They were forced to leave their homes, their families, and their country in search of a safe place for their children. It wasn't an easy decision, but it was one that they had to make for the survival. Through these stories, we see the struggles they faced in a new country, language barriers, and cultural differences. But we also see the beauty of women's spirit, as they find the strength to rebuild their lives no matter what. Their stories are not just about the war, but also about hope and resilience.
Joy of Joys
Director: Jonathan Glazer
Year: 2026
JOY OF JOYS is a short documentary about the recording sessions for War Child Records' HELP(2) at Abbey Road Studios, directed by Jonathan Glazer and devised by Mica Levi and Glazer. Children in London film themselves and the musicians, including Olivia Rodrigo, Arctic Monkeys, Damon Albarn, Cameron Winter, Fontaines DC and Pulp. While children in Gaza Ukraine, Sudan and Yemen film themselves and their surroundings. The documentary interweaves these layers across continents and backgrounds to show a universal innocence and the joy of childhood itself. Glazer and Levi describe the film as being “by children, for children”. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2026
Queer Edward II
Director: Theo Rollason
Year: 2026
Spring 1991: queer life is under renewed attack in Britain, and filmmaker Derek Jarman is adapting Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II into a radical protest film. Drawing on extraordinary never-before-seen footage shot by Seamus McGarvey on Jarman’s set, QUEER EDWARD 11 is about the refusal to separate art from life, politics from pleasure. Official Selection Venice Film Festival 2026 Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2026