Solutions from Ukraine: children from Mykolaiv’s front-line region create inspiring short films on dreams, beauty, and friendship

On November 26, the YouTube channel for the charity initiative Behind Blue Eyes showcased short films created by children during the "Blyshchyk" creativity festivals in the war-torn Mykolaiv region. The films were shot in their hometowns of Lupareve, Vysunsk, and Pavlivka and centered around friendship, dreams, and beauty themes. Each film crew consisted of 10-14-year-old participants of "Blyshchyk," who took on roles such as screenwriters, cameramen, and actors, with guidance from mentors and directors including Hlib Feldman, Lada Sabova, and Mykyta Kvasnikov.

Rubryka writes about this with reference to Behind Blue Eyes.

"What Birds See the Ground From the Sky" is a conversation between girls from Lupareve village about their hopes and dreams. One dreams of overcoming her fear of the camera and becoming an actress, while another wishes for more activities for teenagers in the village. They also talk about the idea of being able to fly, teleport, or run super fast.

"I would like to … probably fly because I have always been interested in what the birds see when they look down at the ground," one of the heroines said.

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"Friendship and One Hundred" – reminiscences of an adult about childhood and home. The narrator appears to recall a childhood memory in which his friend had to repay a debt but ended up losing the money. The boys then embark on a search to retrieve it.

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"Beauty" is a documentary showcasing life in the village of Pavlivka and the surrounding nature. The young protagonists, both girls and boys, express their individual perspectives on the concept and significance of beauty. One of the heroines shares her belief that "beauty lies within people." Meanwhile, the viewer is treated to stunning shots of the expansive Ukrainian landscapes, complete with endless steppe, vibrant wildflowers, and a tranquil estuary.

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"Children in villages far from cities often do not have opportunities for leisure or self-expression – this applies to both ordinary clubs and creative professions, which are often perceived here as something frivolous. I am convinced that creativity for children is a tool that allows them to look at the world more broadly, to create something cool after playing around, and to reflect on what they are currently experiencing growing up in war. These little films are their search for their creative spark. We do not know if any of them will work in the film industry in the future. Still, in any case, this experience and a bright memory will remain with them forever," Artem Skorokhodko, co-founder of the Behind Blue Eyes project, comments.

"Blyshchuk" is a series of educational and entertaining festivals organized by the charitable project Behind Blue Eyes, in partnership with Signal Production, for children residing in the front-line region in the south. During these festivals, children were introduced to diverse art forms, such as architecture, painting, field recording, upcycling, and design. Each child had the opportunity to select the activity that interested them the most and, with the guidance of mentors, create their unique masterpiece.

As a result, clothing collections were created at "Blyshchuk" clothing collections were created using the upcycling technique, a music album, Blyshchuk Tapes, was recorded, and three short films were shot. More than 150 children from the villages of Lupareve, Vysunsk, and Pavlivka visited the festival. They had the opportunity to learn from 18 professionals from the creative industries, including Masha Reva, Kostiantyn Omelia, the teams RE: Ukraine Village and balbek bureau, and others.

Recently, Behind Blue Eyes revealed that they will be releasing a documentary titled "BLYSCHIK. South" that will focus on their efforts with children in frontline and deoccupied villages.

The aim is to inspire everyone, regardless of their background or education, to join volunteer movements and launch initiatives. The teaser can be found by following the link.

For reference:

Behind Blue Eyes is a charitable project that has been working with children from regions affected by war for over two years. They have utilized various formats, including expeditions, podcasts, and educational festivals, to engage these children in creativity and help fulfill their dreams.

Rubryka previously wrote that the charity project Behind Blue Eyes has released a documentary calling on creative people to teach children in the regions.