Photophobia - English subtitled
In this mix of fiction and documentary we follow the Ukrainian children Niki and Vika, who take shelter from the war in a Charkov metro station.
On a cold February morning, 12-year-old Niki and his family arrive at the Kharkiv metro station to take shelter from the terrifying war raging outside. For Niki’s family, daylight is synonymous with mortal danger. The boy is not allowed to leave the station premises, living under the constant glow of neon lights. While aimlessly wandering around the abandoned cars and full platforms, Niki meets Vika. As their bond strengthens, the children seek courage to once again feel the sun on their faces.
The brutal and cruel war in Ukraine has been raging for over two years. In PHOTOPHOBIA, Slovak directors Ivan Ostrochovský & Pavol Pekarčík wanted to show that despite all the horror, ‘real’ life continues: children remain children and at times there’s room for music, laughter and flirting too. Despite the tragedy of the war, PHOTOPHOBIA shows that hope and love are never lost. Winner of the Label Europa Cinemas award at the Venice Film Festival.
This is a screening in the context of the Movies that Matter festival.