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In the Rearview (15*) + ScreenTalk with director Maciek Hamela (via Zoom)

New East Cinema

,Cinema 3
A young girl sitting in a van full of people holds up a note.

As homes are turned into war zones, a van travels across Ukraine – passing through cities, towns, and villages so small they can’t be found on the map – to help people evacuate to the Polish border.

In February 2022, days after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Polish director Maciek Hamela bought a van to help evacuate civilians in neighbouring Ukraine.

At some point during his many trips to the Polish border and back, the director-turned-driver, along with friend and cinematographer Piotr Grawender, decided to document the people getting in his van in search of safety.

The hundreds of hours of footage, skilfully edited down, amount to a humane portrait of Ukrainians in crisis where compassion, joy, and sometimes even humour, still find their way amidst the horror. A composed driver determined to help, Hamela’s directorial role always comes second.

This screening will be followed by a ScreenTalk with director Maciek Hamela (via Zoom), hosted by BBC World Service journalist Kateryna Khinkulova (on stage).

 

Tagged with: Cinema ScreenTalks New East Cinema

2023 Poland/Ukraine/France dir Maciek Hamela 86 mins

Kateryna Khinkulova

Kateryna Khinkulova is a journalist focusing on Eastern and Southern Europe. Most recently she directed After Kakhovka, a BBC World Service documentary about the consequences of the Kakhovka dam breach in the south of Ukraine in 2023.

Cinema 3

Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you across the road to the venue. 

Address
Beech Street
London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.