Four women in Ukraine who have survived Russia’s war. Four stories, including captivity, torture, sexual violence, times of hiding in dark basements, and the loss of loved ones. One shared journey – a journey toward healing. That is what the new documentary Women and War by Elwira Niewiera (The Hamlet Syndrome, The Prince and the Dybbuk, The Domino Effect) promises to take you on.
The film gets its world premiere on Sunday, Nov. 15 in the main competition of the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), which runs through Nov. 22.
Women and War follows the journeys of Olena, Yuliia, Iryna, and Lena, who survived Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Over the course of a year, the doc shows them going through long-term therapy in the remote mountains of the country as they slowly begin to heal under the care of therapists and psychologists. And each of them must follow her own path toward recovery as they confront the lasting impact of trauma in the hope of regaiingn emotional and physical balance. Can they overcome their struggles and reclaim their lives?
“Women who have experienced violence during the war often continue to live in a constant state of fear, even after being released from captivity,” Niewiera says. “Many lose their sense of security, their trust in others and their connection to their own bodies. Because the body is often the only witness to what happened to them, the mind tries to disconnect from it, leaving them emotionally and physically numb.”
She adds: “The war does not end for these women when the weapons fall silent. It continues to shape their thoughts, their bodies and their everyday lives. Yet violence against women in conflict is still too often overlooked, even as rape and torture are deliberately used to break individuals and destabilise entire communities.”
She recalls seeing the women’s difficulties reconnecting with their emotions. “Some struggled to express sadness, anger or even joy,” highlights the director. “In therapy, I watched their feelings slowly returning, as they learned to give them a voice. I wanted the film to look beyond trauma and show their courage, strength and the small steps they take towards healing. Alongside the pain, there is warmth and empathy. These women are not defined by what they have endured, but also by their determination to reclaim their lives.”
Women and War was produced by Hans Robert Eisenhauer for Germany’s Ventana Film, Maciej Kubicki for Poland’s Telemark and Natalia Krasilnikova for Art Dialogue in Ukraine. It was co-produced with ZDF in cooperation with ARTE and TVP. Rise and Shine is handling world sales.
The film will also be tied to social impact activity. On Sunday, a “public action,” entitled “33 Women, 33 Portraits — Let’s Not Let Them Be Forgotten!,” will take place outside of Amsterdam’s Eye Filmmuseum. Following the screening, the action will continue in the museum foyer. Initiated by Polish filmmaker Niewiera and visual artist Bartek Kiełbowicz, it aims to “draw international attention to Ukrainian civilian women who remain in Russian captivity, where detainees have been subjected to torture, sexual violence, humiliation, and inhumane conditions.”
Now that you have read about Women and War, why don’t you watch the trailer for the doc that THR can exclusively premiere here. Can breathing or music maybe provide relief from traumatic experiences and nightmares? Here is a brief look at the resilience and perseverance of the four women in Women and War.