Ukrainian filmmaker Alisa Kovalenko initially planned to document a group of five teenagers from the Donbas region of Ukraine preparing for a Himalayan expedition. As conflict in the region escalated, her focus shifted. Her documentary, "We Will Not Fade Away," captures life in pre-war Ukraine amidst the backdrop of military conflict.
Kovalenko describes her film as a "capsule of time," preserving memories of a past that no longer exists post-invasion. The film showcases the teenagers' journey to the Himalayas, juxtaposed with their experiences in war-torn Ukraine.
The New England premiere of "We Will Not Fade Away" is scheduled for Friday at the Global Cinema Film Festival of Boston, running from May 17-21 at the Capitol Theatre in Arlington. Despite not attending the premiere due to her presence in Ukraine and frontline service, Kovalenko aims to connect with American audiences through the universal human stories in her documentary. Raouf Jacob, the festival's executive director, highlighted the film's alignment with themes of resilience, identity, heritage, and activism.
"We Will Not Fade Away" screens at 8:30 p.m. on Friday. Further details on the film festival can be found at worldwidecinemaframes.com.