WE WILL NOT FADE AWAY
A film by Alisa Kovalenko
2023, 100 minutes
2023, 100 minutes
No. 434
Documentary
Documentary
Description
Donbas, 2019. The prospect of a new Russian invasion hangs in the air, while the sound of gunfire resulting from the old one can still be heard in the distance. In this seemingly bleak wartime setting, five teenagers start to seriously think about their future. Their energy, enthusiasm, and hope allow them to fully live out their last golden hours of childhood despite the circumstances.
The members of this imaginative band of dreamers paint, take photographs, or fantasise about acting careers or becoming the next Elon Musk. They rebel, ride on the waves of adventure, walk into minefields and sunbathe by a local lake. They dream of escaping not only from the war, but also - like teenagers all over the world - from the boredom of a small town. Then, unexpectedly, an opportunity arises to embark on a long journey all the way to Nepal. Will their dream of conquering the world come true?
Festivals
Official Selection, Berlin International Film Festival
Official Selection, Geneva International Film Festival
Reviews
"The film’s strength lies in its quiet moments, where the reflections and aspirations of these young adults are juxtaposed with the harsh realities of life in Ukraine. The film’s structure is not at all rigid, effectively mirroring the lack of certainty in the teenagers’ lives while allowing their accounts to shape the narrative. The film successfully blends personal vignettes with the larger backdrop of political strife. It offers a compelling coming of age story, rooted in grasping at lofty goals, and dealing with uncertainty and basic survival." - EMRO
