Premiere of Documentary Film Highlighting Blind Experiences in War

The official premiere of the short documentary film 'Underseen' by British director Rafael Cortes took place in Kyiv, focusing on the experiences of blind people amid the realities of full-scale war.

The story centers around guides from the Lviv branch of the '03:00' Dark Museum, museum director Alina Marnenko, and veteran Vitaliy Veres, who lost his sight on the front lines. Through their narratives, the film reveals the resilience of the human spirit and the role of social entrepreneurship in supporting vulnerable communities.

According to the director, 'Underseen' aims to change societal perceptions of blindness and war-related trauma, giving a voice to those often overlooked. The premiere served as a platform for public discussion featuring the creators and film protagonists, including producer Zhanna Maksymenko-Dovhych, '03:00' Foundation founder Alina Marnenko, guide Victoria Shevchuk, and the director himself. The event was moderated by Ksenia Shvets, a museum guide, comedian, and stand-up performer.

Thanks to the partnership with SILab Ukraine, USVF, the '03:00' Foundation, and support from the European Union, the film received an audio description created in collaboration with the 'Accessible Cinema' initiative and the Greta app.

During the event, attendees were also shown a trailer for the upcoming feature film 'Blind Arc,' which continues exploring themes raised in 'Underseen.'

This film tells the stories of Ukrainian veterans who lost their sight due to war, particularly focusing on Ivan Roman, a soldier from Mykolaiv who lost his leg, arm, and sight while rescuing comrades in 2024.

'Blind Arc' immerses viewers in a profound process of adaptation, reevaluating reality, and seeking inner strength after trauma.