Because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, thousands of teenagers had to leave their homes, schools, and friends behind. How do you pick up a life that was interrupted at the most vulnerable age and start over in a new country?
“I’m not a refugee, I’m just a person,” says Illia, who is studying to become a cook in Brno, but because he comes from Donetsk, a city that is part of territory controlled by Russia, he had trouble having his final school certificate recognized in the Czech Republic. Beyond bureaucracy, Illia and his peers face language barriers, post-traumatic stress, and the uncertainty of the future. Theaters, associations, and schools offer a helping hand to support the integration of young newcomers. Yet the film also shows that successful integration requires understanding and acceptance from Czech society, as well as deeper systemic changes.
Basic information about the film