Solutions from Ukraine: Behind Blue Eyes charity project releases documentary urging creatives to educate children in war-torn regions

Spark the creativity of children. Behind Blue Eyes, a charity project has released a documentary urging creative individuals to teach children in war-torn areas.

Rubryka writes about this.

On November 6, the charity project Behind Blue Eyes showcased a documentary film called "BLYSCHYK. South" at "Planeta Kino" cinema, presenting their work with children in front-line and de-occupied villages. The film aims to encourage people from all walks of life to get involved in volunteer movements and start their own initiatives.

The film "BLYSCHYK. South" is a raw and honest account from the project team showcasing how two marketers succeeded in developing a charity project that now offers a range of activities for children from front-line villages. These activities include volunteer trips to the de–occupied Chernihiv region and an exhibition of children's film photos to spark creativity and fulfill their aspirations.

According to the filmmakers, volunteer work and charitable efforts are not always centered on emotional and dramatic tales, expert handling of difficult experiences, or providing aid to many individuals in need (although these are undoubtedly crucial). Instead, they view it as a challenging yet engaging journey, allowing room for creativity and personal expression, ultimately benefiting both the children and the project team.

Watch the teaser of "BLYSHCHYK. South" at the link.

The film's storyline centers on a firsthand account of the planning and execution of the "Blyshchyk" educational and entertainment festival, which debuted this year in the villages of the Mykolaiv region. The festival introduced children to a variety of artistic fields, including architecture, art, field recording and sound production, cinema, upcycling, and design.

School grounds, classrooms, and gymnasiums were transformed into workshop spaces, while scenic countryside locations served as filming locations for children's movies. Recordings of the river and reeds enriched the ambient genre. Over 150 children from the villages of Lupareve, Vysunsk, and Pavlivka attended three festivals, where they could learn from 18 professionals in the creative industry and collaborate on their own mini-projects. These included the production of a music album titled "Blyshchuk Tapes" and three short films, which will be released online shortly.

The biggest accomplishment the team has achieved, "Blyshchyk," truly captures the essence of Behind Blue Eyes. Through the festival's narrative, the team authentically portrays the reality behind the polished corporate image seen on social media. As volunteers without formal training in teaching or psychology, they have managed to make a tangible difference in the lives of children amidst war.

"We are acquainted with childhood, situated 30 km away from the front line. We have observed it from every aspect and are well-versed in the firsthand accounts of children living under occupation and suffering losses. We are also familiar with the conditions and surroundings that shape their upbringing. Yet, what matters most is that these children are vibrant and receptive to fresh experiences. They are willing to learn and innovate; all they require is attention and regard for their thoughts, notions, sentiments, and quirks.

And that's exactly what everyone can do: come to the village, share their experience, love for their work, and understanding of creativity to light a "sparkle" in the eyes of children," Artem Skorokhodko, co-founder of the Behind Blue Eyes project, says.

In Behind Blue Eyes, the project team traveled to villages on the east, north, and south frontlines over two years. As they were accustomed to filming their surroundings, the footage contained a mix of archival material, behind-the-scenes shots from the "BLYSHCHYK" organization, interviews with each team member, film stills, design sketches, and original music recorded by children. The team independently created the film and is now showcasing it on the big screen.

The first private showing of the documentary "BLYSHCYK" took place on November 6 at "Planeta Kino" in the Blockbuster Shopping Center, bringing together a community of supporters of Behind Blue Eyes.

There will be a charity film screening on November 13 at 7:00 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend. Every ticket sold for this showing will be a donation to the Behind Blue Eyes project. More information is available at the link provided.

For reference:
It's worth mentioning that the charity project Behind Blue Eyes was founded in April 2022 after the team's volunteer trips to the de-occupied Chernihiv region. Throughout their efforts, the team has visited 19 villages in 6 front-line regions and assisted and cared for over 1,500 children. The children have captured over 4,000 unique photos through film photography, which have been featured in Ukrainian and international media and displayed in the Who Holds Up The Sky exhibition at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. To date, Behind Blue Eyes has fulfilled more than 230 children's wishes.