Key points
- The Ukrainian documentary film Traces won the audience vote in the Panorama section at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival.
- The film received the Panorama Audience Award in the documentary category.
- This marks the first victory for a Ukrainian film in the Panorama programme, despite Ukraine’s long-standing participation in the section.
- The documentary tells the stories of women who survived sexual violence and torture during the Russian aggression.
- Director Alisa Kovalenko herself survived conflict-related sexual violence while in captivity in Donbas and was among the first women in Ukraine to speak publicly about her experience.
- The director’s personal story and human rights advocacy formed the foundation of the film.
The Ukrainian documentary film Traces, directed by Alisa Kovalenko and Marysia Nikitiuk, won the audience vote in the Panorama section at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival.
The film received the Panorama Audience Award in the documentary category. A total of 26,500 viewers took part in the voting.
Ukrainian films have a long history of participation in Panorama; however, this distinction marks the first victory. It is particularly significant that the award was determined by audience votes.
– film’s producers Olha Brehman and Nataliia Libet.
The documentary tells the stories of women from different regions of Ukraine who survived sexual violence and torture during the Russian aggression and refuse to remain silent about their experiences.
The film was produced by 2BraveProductions and Message Film in partnership with Arte France, SEMA Ukraine and the Dr Denis Mukwege Foundation.
According to the United Nations, more than 90% of Ukrainian military personnel and civilians who were held in Russian captivity reported torture and inhuman treatment. Sexual violence remains one of the most underreported crimes.
Director Alisa Kovalenko herself survived sexual violence while in captivity in Donbas at the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war. She was among the first women in Ukraine to speak publicly about this experience and is now a member of SEMA Ukraine. Her personal story and human rights advocacy became the foundation for the film.
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