Margarita's story is a story about a girl's escape from Mariupol, Ukraine
A still image from the powerful animated film 'Margarita's Story', about a young girl's escape from Mariupol, Ukraine (Anna Ivanenko/Save the Children)
KYIV, 21 JUNE 2023 – Save the Children has partnered with BAFTA award-winning director Jonathan Hodgson and Ukrainian illustrator Anna Ivanenko to produce "Margarita's Story," a captivating animated film documenting the harrowing journey of a child's escape from Mariupol, Ukraine, in March 2022.
WE STAND SIDE BY SIDE WITH CHILDREN IN THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST PLACES.
This powerful animation sheds light on the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where millions of children are caught in the crossfire. It captures the story of a family sheltering next to the Drama theatre, leaving just hours before it was bombed, reportedly killing hundreds of women and children sheltering inside
The UN has verified over 24,000 civilian casualties since February 2022, including more than 1,500 children who have been injured or killed. The number of confirmed child casualties has surpassed 500, with at least one child losing their life every day in Ukraine. The film also addresses the ongoing risks faced by children due to the high contamination of explosive weapons, unexploded ordnance (UXOs), and mines. With over 2 million children at risk, the presence of explosive remnants of war continues to pose deadly threats, despite the removal of more than 250,000 UXOs since March 2022.
Ten-year-old *Margarita fled the city of Mariupol on March 15th, 2022, with her mother, father, brother, and sister when the war reached the city. After three weeks of constant shelling, they eventually decided to evacuate with the very few belongings they had, aiming to reach the relative safety of the city of Dnipro, which was over 300km away. They moved from the city center to a house next to the Drama Theatre, as they thought it would be safer. The apartment had no light, heating, or water, and the windows were broken. The family was forced to cook outside on fires lit in the streets, surviving on boiled potatoes pasta, and canned food. One morning, just after 9am when the children were eating their breakfast, the shelling had already started. Margarita's mother told her to eat their food in the corridor, to get away from the windows as the explosions came closer. As Margarita walked back to the kitchen to clean the dishes, the apartment was hit by a shell, blowing the frame out of the window. The family then rushed to the bomb shelter where they stayed for hours, although it only felt like minutes. They knew then it was time to leave, gathering what little they had and jumping in their car to flee from the city. It was luck that they left when they did, as only a day later the Drama Theatre was hit during a huge strike, reportedly killing hundreds of women and children inside. The journey took several days, driving through areas of active hostilities, joining hundreds of other families queuing in their cars to escape the fighting. The family was forced to spend one night in their vehicle after reaching the city of Tokmak, with no food or water. The children were freezing as temperatures dropped to -11 degrees. The family of five now live in an apartment in Dnipro, and their father has found a job while their mother is on extended maternity leave to take care of the children. The children still learn online, as schools are closed in Dnipro. Margarita wants to go back to a normal school, like she did in Mariupol, where she could see her classmates, run through the corridors, and meet her sister. Life in Dnipro is not the same for *Margarita, and she hopes to return to Mariupol once the city is repaired and life returns to normal. She dreams of returning to visit her grandparents who still live in the city, and celebrating with her mother once the war is finally over. Her favorite part of Mariupol was the Theatre, especially on New Year, where she would walk with her friends and buy hot chocolate and marshmallows from the kiosks. She also describes walking in Freedom Square where projectors would light up the streets with flowers, and she would visit her favorite shop, "Thousands of little Things". The children still live with the scars of what they endured. Margarita's younger brother three year old *Misha stopped talking for nearly three months after they left the city, and has to sleep with then light on as he was afrtaid of the dark. He regularly had nightmares and shakes due to the time he spent under bombardment, sheltering in basements. Misha still has a cuddly tractor that he took to comfort him as the family escaped the city. Margarita hopes to pursue her love of performing arts and continue to study the Theatre. Save the Children support: When the family fled Mariupol Save the Children provided education kits for the children, including storybooks, writing materials to support the children whilst they were out of school. Save the Children partner “I am Mariupol” supported the children providing recreational and psychosocial activities. The organistation has 13 centers across Ukraine, where every day hundreds of Mariupol families receive comprehensive assistance – from humanitarian to psychological support. “I’Mariupol” project unites international partners, donors, volunteers and large Ukrainian business around helping people of Mariupol. Anna Ivanenko/Save the Children
The animation, titled "Margarita's Story," portrays the resilience and courage of a 10-year-old girl who endured the unimaginable horrors of war. Reflecting on her work, Anna Ivanenko, the award-winning Ukrainian illustrator, said:
Most of my work is about the war, as I use it to spread the truth about what is happening to my country, to tell our story in Ukraine. I chose the project as Mariupol is one of the biggest tragedies, and children are the most vulnerable people in this war. You can't imagine what impact this will have on them in the future, my heart is bleeding when I hear about their suffering.
Jonathan Hodgson, the BAFTA-winning animation director, expressed his appreciation for collaborating with Anna on Margarita's Story. He stated, "It has been a humbling experience and a great honour to collaborate with Anna on Margarita's Story. Unfazed by the turmoil of the war in her country, she has worked tirelessly and created some incredibly powerful and emotional images for the film. Undoubtedly, her direct experience of the war and her eye for detail has brought a level of authenticity and integrity to the animation, which would not have otherwise been possible."
Ten-year-old *Margarita fled the city of Mariupol on March 15th, 2022, with her mother, father, brother, and sister when the war reached the city. After three weeks of constant shelling, they eventually decided to evacuate with the very few belongings they had, aiming to reach the relative safety of the city of Dnipro, which was over 300km away. They moved from the city center to a house next to the Drama Theatre, as they thought it would be safer. The apartment had no light, heating, or water, and the windows were broken. The family was forced to cook outside on fires lit in the streets, surviving on boiled potatoes pasta, and canned food. One morning, just after 9am when the children were eating their breakfast, the shelling had already started. Margarita's mother told her to eat their food in the corridor, to get away from the windows as the explosions came closer. As Margarita walked back to the kitchen to clean the dishes, the apartment was hit by a shell, blowing the frame out of the window. The family then rushed to the bomb shelter where they stayed for hours, although it only felt like minutes. They knew then it was time to leave, gathering what little they had and jumping in their car to flee from the city. It was luck that they left when they did, as only a day later the Drama Theatre was hit during a huge strike, reportedly killing hundreds of women and children inside. The journey took several days, driving through areas of active hostilities, joining hundreds of other families queuing in their cars to escape the fighting. The family was forced to spend one night in their vehicle after reaching the city of Tokmak, with no food or water. The children were freezing as temperatures dropped to -11 degrees. The family of five now live in an apartment in Dnipro, and their father has found a job while their mother is on extended maternity leave to take care of the children. The children still learn online, as schools are closed in Dnipro. Margarita wants to go back to a normal school, like she did in Mariupol, where she could see her classmates, run through the corridors, and meet her sister. Life in Dnipro is not the same for *Margarita, and she hopes to return to Mariupol once the city is repaired and life returns to normal. She dreams of returning to visit her grandparents who still live in the city, and celebrating with her mother once the war is finally over. Her favorite part of Mariupol was the Theatre, especially on New Year, where she would walk with her friends and buy hot chocolate and marshmallows from the kiosks. She also describes walking in Freedom Square where projectors would light up the streets with flowers, and she would visit her favorite shop, "Thousands of little Things". The children still live with the scars of what they endured. Margarita's younger brother three year old *Misha stopped talking for nearly three months after they left the city, and has to sleep with then light on as he was afrtaid of the dark. He regularly had nightmares and shakes due to the time he spent under bombardment, sheltering in basements. Misha still has a cuddly tractor that he took to comfort him as the family escaped the city. Margarita hopes to pursue her love of performing arts and continue to study the Theatre. Save the Children support: When the family fled Mariupol Save the Children provided education kits for the children, including storybooks, writing materials to support the children whilst they were out of school. Save the Children partner “I am Mariupol” supported the children providing recreational and psychosocial activities. The organistation has 13 centers across Ukraine, where every day hundreds of Mariupol families receive comprehensive assistance – from humanitarian to psychological support. “I’Mariupol” project unites international partners, donors, volunteers and large Ukrainian business around helping people of Mariupol. Anna Ivanenko/Save the Children
The film will premiere at the prestigious international policy institute, Chatham House. The premiere will take place ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference, scheduled to be held in London from the 21st to the 22nd of June. As world leaders convene for the recovery conference to discuss the future of Ukraine, it is crucial that children's needs are at the heart of their decisions.
Sonia Khush, Country Director of Save the Children Ukraine, emphasised the shocking impact of the war on children and the importance of Margarita's Story. She stated:
The war in Ukraine has had a devastating impact on the lives of children. Margarita's story, depicted through this powerful animation, vividly captures the unimaginable challenges faced by children like her. We must make sure all children in Ukraine are given their basic rights, including access to education, protection, and recovery from the trauma they have endured. This is what they all deserve. But we need the long-term commitment to achieve it.
Through "Margarita's Story," Save the Children, Jonathan Hodgson, and Anna Ivanenko aim to amplify the voices of those affected by the war and raise awareness of the profound challenges faced by children in Ukraine. The film serves as a powerful tool to inspire action and support the protection and well-being of children.
For media inquiries, interviews, or more information, please contact:
s.edmunds@savethechildren.org.uk
