The British Embassy, together with the Ukrainian Embassy and the Embassy of Canada to Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova, is proud to co-host a special screening of the Oscar-contending documentary “After the Rain: Putin’s Stolen Children Come Home”.
The documentary showcases the powerful story of Ukrainian children who were abducted and illegally deported by Russian forces during the conflict, highlighting both their resilience and the urgent need for international support.
The film tells the stories of Veronika and Sasha - two Ukrainian girls kidnapped by Russia and whose families risked their lives to get them back. Over the course of a ten day stay at a therapy centre in Estonia the girls gradually share their experiences, including of being told they would be given new parents.
The screening is designed not only to bring these heartbreaking stories to light but also to help raise awareness and encourage further action to protect the rights and the futures of these vulnerable children. It gives a platform to their voices.
Whilst the film represents a moving portrayal of the terrible injustices being wreaked on ordinary families in Ukraine, it is also an uplifting demonstration of how, collectively, we can work together to help reunite children with their families.
More than 19,500 Ukrainian children have been forcibly transferred or deported by the Russian authorities to Russia. An estimated 6,000 Ukrainian children have been relocated to a network of re-education camps. There is no justification for this; the separation of parents and children should never be used as a weapon of war.
We hope you will be able to join us at this special screening, a small way to demonstrate the strong support of people from Bulgarian and all over the world to defending children’s rights and supporting Ukraine in its efforts to confront Russian aggression and fight for its freedom.
The tickets for the special screening on March 31st at 6 p.m. are free of charge, but limited - do not forget to collect your ticket in advance from the box-office of Cinema House.
***
SEE YOU AT THE #CINEMA!
#29SofiaIFF