Six Ukrainian women – Iryna, Liudmyla, Halyna, Tetiana, Olha, and Mefodiivna – who experienced sexual violence and torture during Russiaʼs war of aggression in Ukraine from 2014 to 2023 refuse to remain silent. Each woman is a survivor who shares her story in this psychological portrait, creating a unique document of the crime committed, inspired by a desire to preserve the memory of truth and justice. The women are all members of SEMA Ukraine, the Ukrainian community of women survivors of sexual gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual violence.

Alisa Kovalenko and Marysia Nikitiuk accompany Iryna Dovhan, a survivor who has become an activist, as she documents the testimonies of other survivors in the liberated territories of Ukraine. Through her story, the film creates a portrait of collective trauma while also leaving space for hope. Iryna brings these women together, helping them to transform their pain into a shared fight – for truth, justice, and unity. Despite the immense suffering, the film becomes more than a record of war crimes; it transforms into a testament to resilience and women standing side by side.

Award:

Audience Award in the Panorama Section (Panorama Audience Award) – Berlinale 2026 (Germany)

The film screening will be followed by a discussion with director Alisa Kovalenko in English. Sára Činčurová will moderate the discussion.

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Funded by the European Union.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Agency for Education and Culture (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA assumes any responsibility for them.

The event is also accessible with audio description and descriptive subtitles thanks to the IncluCine 2 project, which is being implemented as part of the Collaborate to Innovate initiative under the auspices of Europa Cinemas and is funded by the Creative Europe – MEDIA program. (plus the Collaborate to Innovate logo).