While many have left this dangerous area, Oleg remains with his grandmother, who has taken care of him since the death of his mother. At school, he learns about the bomb shelter and what to do when encountering a landmine. Constantly the fear of war is present through distant sounds of bombs. But at the same time the war brings adventure, especially when a neighbour teaches them how to use a gun.
Oleg and Yarik
Combining intimate situations between Oleg, his grandmother, and his friends with disturbing scenes about the psychological impact of fear, this Oscar short-listed film brings a lasting impression of how war affects future generations.
The Distant Barking of Dogs
Director: Simon Lereng Wilmont
89 min. Denmark, Sweden, Finland 2017
Dialogue: Ukranian, Russian.
Festival theme: War and Peace in Europe
Not counting Russia, Ukraine is the largest country in Europe by size, and the sixth-largest by population. Not part of the EU but right at its doorstep and on the border with Russia, Ukraine’s challenges quickly became the EU’s challenges.
What has the EU been doing right and wrong there, and what should it be doing? How can new challenges in security and defence be best tackled in Europe? Why has the EU been so successful at creating lasting peace, and how can it keep doing that?
We’re very proud to be able to bring The Distant Barking of Dogs to the WAKE UP EUROPE Festival and use a personal, observational documentary film to discuss the huge theme of war and peace in Europe.
Join us for the first-ever WAKE UP EUROPE Festival – in Turin, across Europe and online!