“WE WILL NOT FADE AWAY” AWARDED IN GERMANY AND AUSTRIA
The last few days have been exceptional for Alisa Kovalenko's new film. First, it was recognized as the best documentary at the Crossing Europe Filmfestival Linz, and shortly after, it won the same award at the goEast Film Festival.
Crossing Europe Filmfestival Linz is a film event held every April since 2004 in Linz, Switzerland. The festival's programmers place a strong emphasis on contemporary European productions, especially ones that tackle socio-political issues. The program includes not only premieres but also productions that have already managed to impress international festival audiences. You can find out more about the festival here.
The goEast Film Festival is one of the most important events focused on films from Central and Eastern Europe. Its rich program includes more than 110 excellent feature films, documentaries, short films, and VR projects. The annual German event attracts a large number of fans of great and innovative cinema and numerous industry representatives. Read more about the event here.
Alisa Kovalenko's film was recognised as the best documentary at both of these festivals.
In the awarded We Will Not Fade Away, we follow five Ukrainian teenagers growing up in small towns near a coalfield. Like their peers around the world, they struggle with boredom and the many frustrations of finding their own identity and path in life. However, these five live in the Donbass, where there has been war for years. Not only has the region been economically devastated, but there is constant fighting in the distance – and sometimes quite close by. The youngsters are struggling with reality, trying to find their way in all this chaos through drawing, photography, music and, above all, friendship. They rebel, go on adventures, bravely venture into minefields, and coal shafts; they play in ruined houses, trying to make the most of their last golden hours of childhood. As they dream of escaping, an unexpected invitation arrives. Would you like to visit Nepal and trek through the foothills of the Himalayas? - a famous Ukrainian traveller asks them. Suddenly, there's light in the darkness. They train intensely to realise this seemingly impossible dream, recording their efforts in video diaries. As the situation in their homeland deteriorates, the threat of a full-scale Russian invasion looms. Will the hopes and dreams of these young people survive?