The exclusive trailer for Ash and Crayons has been released ahead of its theatrical debut on World Children’s Day, November 20. The Oscar-contending documentary by Evgeny Afineevsky examines the severe injuries inflicted on Ukrainian children during Russia’s war of aggression and highlights their determination to survive and thrive.
Briarcliff Entertainment is distributing the feature, which centers on seven young people who have lost limbs or suffered major injuries. The film combines archival footage with animation created by Ukrainian artists to provide a personal perspective on the crisis.
Stories of Survival and Recovery
The documentary follows the lives of several children, including 12-year-old Yana from Kramatorsk. Yana lost both legs below the knees when Russian bombers struck a train station where she was with her mother. She now uses prosthetics and has taken up running with specially designed blades.
Eight-year-old Roman was visiting a medical clinic in Vinnytsia when a missile hit the building. He suffered severe burns over 40 percent of his body and lost his mother. Roman has since resumed playing the accordion and harmonica and recently began competing in ballroom dancing.
Seven-year-old Sasha, a young gymnast from the Zatoka area of Odessa, was buried under debris after a missile struck her home. She remained in a coma for 15 days and had her left leg amputated. Despite these injuries, she has returned to gymnastics training and won several competitions.
Wider Crisis and International Recognition
Evgeny Afineevsky previously earned an Oscar nomination for his 2015 film Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom. He returned to the subject with Freedom on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom in 2022. His other directing credits include Cries From Syria and Francesco.
Afineevsky told Deadline that the film focuses on the next generation of Ukrainians, for whom their fathers are currently fighting on the frontlines. He described the children as strong, resilient, and fighters who maintain hope despite going through extreme hardship.
The film has screened for members of the U.S. Congress, at the Vatican, the UK Parliament, the Italian Parliament, and the Council of Europe. It also received the Cinema for Peace Award in Berlin, presented by former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
UNICEF reports that the United Nations has verified 3,946 children killed or injured in Ukraine since the escalation of the war in February 2022. The actual number is likely higher. In July alone, 17 children were killed and 166 were injured, according to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.
The filmmakers also note that more than 20,610 children have been forcibly deported or transferred to Russia since the war began. A small number have been repatriated, but the fate of the rest remains uncertain.
Ash and Crayons is produced by Kevin Goetz and Galyna Sadomtseva Nabaranchuk, with support from the Office of the Ombudsman of Ukraine and the Ukrainian State Film Agency. An impact campaign will accompany the release, partnering with the Ukrainian World Congress, Bring Kids Back UA, and War Child International to draw international attention to the plight of affected children.
Source: Deadline
