|
Hamela’s documentary, “In the Rearview,” chronicles six months
of journeys and hours of footage, giving a raw and intimate
picture of the war in real time.
Hosting its North American premiere at the Toronto International
Film Festival on Tuesday, Hamela hopes the audience can put
themselves in the refugees’ shoes.
“I hope that this film will remind those who might think that
the war is over or that it has become a never-ending stalemate
... to reconsider,” he told Reuters.
As Russia's war on Ukraine continues through its second year,
there are more than 6 million Ukrainian refugees, many of whom
fled to Europe and others to various parts of the globe,
according to data from UNHCR.
“Many of these people, especially in the first weeks of the war,
they just wanted to get out,” Hamela said. “People would walk
into the van, and they would often say, ‘just take me
somewhere.’”
The documentary is shot almost entirely in the van, showing
excerpts of passenger conversations and views of the scenery.
Destroyed buildings and blown-up vehicles line the roads as
passengers look out the windows with their children, pets or
belongings stuffed into plastic bags on their laps.
Children break the tension in the car, acting typically restless
and badgering one another. However, their astuteness is
unsettling. In one instance, a little girl looks out the window
as they pass intact apartments and says, “such beautiful
buildings, not bombed at all.”
Another moment shows a young boy’s eyes light up as they drive
past open waters: “We’ll come back here when the war is over,
right mom?” His mother says absolutely.
The van is multifunctional, serving as a shelter, a hospital for
a wounded woman, and a place for confession and conversation
among strangers who are sharing in a life-defining moment.
“I'd like people to come and see this film not just because it's
about the war in Ukraine,” Hamela said. “It's about the state of
mind when you realize you're becoming a refugee. This can happen
to anybody.”
(Reporting by Jenna Zucker; Editing by David Gregorio)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
