Despite being made by a very young filmmaker from St Fiax National School in Gleigkullen on the island of Laois, this work is incredibly powerful.
Narrated by a refugee child who tells his own personal story, this film reveals the reality of a boy torn from his homeland by war.
His journey is remembered by family photos, toy soldiers fighting in stop-motion conflicts, and colorful cardboard skyscrapers destroyed by paper bombs.
Arseniy Malechko, a sixth grade student from Kiev, tells how he had to face the situation of leaving his beloved home and boarding a ferry to Ireland, not knowing whether he would return or not.
Pictured are students from St Fiach’s School NS, Greigcullen, Co. Laois, who were overall winners of the Eileen McKeogh Film of the Year Award for the film Podrog, which means a journey. The film told the story of her classmate Arseniy Malechko (winner) as she travels from her native Ukraine to Ireland.Photo: Mark Steadman
The film “Podoroš” depicts this tragic recent history while also managing to paint a picture of hope for the future.
Arseni tells viewers: “I’m a normal kid, just like you. I have a family, go on vacation, celebrate Christmas. I’m from a city in Ukraine called Kiev.”
This schoolboy tells how he came from a comfort town in Kiev. There, buildings were famously painted in bright colors to “defy their troubled past.”
The film uses a collage of family photos, toy cars, toy trains, and animation to convey how children see their innocent world challenged by adult wars. Masu.
“I love my city and I love Ukraine,” Arsenyi says. “Darkness arrived in 2022 and things changed forever.
“We had no choice and had to leave Ukraine. We packed our bags and said goodbye to home.
“Then we took a ferry to Ireland,” Arseny said. “The first thing that comes to mind is the hills and the sheep.
“I love Ireland. The people are very kind. The nature is very beautiful, but I miss my country, my family and my home.”
Towards the end of the short film, another photo of the schoolboy’s family is highlighted, followed by a photo of the boy standing with his school friends.
The toy soldiers continue their battle, and real scenes from war-torn Ukraine are projected onto the screen.
This impressive production was created by Year 6 teacher Kevin Keogh and his film club at St Fiax. The soundtrack was composed by 6th grade teacher Jack O’ Flaherty.
Pictured watching their film are pupils from St Fiach’s NS in Graigcullen, Co. Laois, who were overall winners of the Eileen MacKeough Award for Film of the Year for their journey film Podrog. The film told the story of classmate Arseny Malechko’s journey from his native Ukraine to Ireland.Photo: Mark Steadman
All the cast members were 6th graders. They are Ricky Matthews, Ellen Salter-Scully, Jaden Hand, Craig Power, Leah Tierney, Eric Kakperski, Matthew Onikoyi and Miss Gannon. The class gave a special thanks to Natalia Dubas.
Other winners include St Paul’s Primary School, Meath (The Magic Pencil) – Outstanding Achievement in Film Making – Storytelling, Scoil Naomh Eirke, Kerry (The Voyages of the Saints) – Outstanding Achievement in Film Making – Acting, Dublin Includes Gardiner Street Elementary School. (St Bridget) – Best Local Interest Film and Copperwhite National School Award for Tipperary (Bloody Sunday 1920) – Film Production – Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography.
The awards ceremony was hosted by RTÉ’s Sinead Kennedy at the Helix in Dublin. More than 1,500 students participated.
The aim of this award is to inspire a new generation of budding filmmakers from our schools.
Christina Reynolds, FÍS Creative Manager at Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, said:
“The FÍS Film Project fosters creativity in primary school students while providing a valuable hands-on learning experience for IADT National Film School students.”
A complete list of winners and individual short films are available online.
