On 24 February 2022 the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began, killing thousands of people and turning millions of Ukrainians into refugees. This dreadful anniversary serves as a timely reminder that it is crucial to continue helping those affected by the war. Please join us for a charity film screening of Kinodopomoha Collective’s documentary Overcoming the Darkness to raise funds for Helping to Leave.

This event will take place at Ciné Lumière.

Helping to Leave is an international organisation that helps Ukrainians receive humanitarian aid, evacuate from military zones in Ukraine — including territories temporarily occupied by Russia — and escape from forced deportation to the Russian Federation. Since February 24, 140,000 people have received diverse kinds of aid, with 43,000 of them being able to leave military combat zones. 

Kinodopomoha Collective is a voluntary association of Ukrainian film industry activists who document the events and fates of Ukrainians during the war.

All proceeds from the sale of tickets for this screening will be donated to Helping to Leave.

Overcoming the Darkness

dir. Kinodopomoha Collective

Ukraine. 2022. 80 mins.

In Ukrainian and Russian with English subtitles

This compendium of short films highlights the full tragedy that followed the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It charts the course of the Russian progression across the country, through the lives and communities of those affected by the wide-scale aggression, alongside those fighting for their land. The film details the force of the assault, but its primary focus lies in the strength of the communities that have had to endure unimaginable hardships, but who remain resilient in the face of such oppression. It joins an increasing number of ground-level films documenting the reality of this modern tragedy.