A Monologue about Home

The film originated from my lingering disbelief: despite growing up in what I thought was an era of peace, war turns out to be so close to us. As an artist, I kept asking myself what I could do. Throughout the creative process, I was plagued by doubts. Initially, I wanted to craft a conceptual film by editing archival footage. However, when I invited several dance artists to collaborate, someone raised a poignant question: “We have never experienced war; how can we possibly comprehend and express the pain it inflicts?” This prompted me to return to the traditional documentary format, seeking the raw power of reality to create and express. After numerous setbacks during this sensitive period, I finally found a Ukrainian friend who was willing to open up to me. Our interaction evolved from a structured, routine interview to taking walks together by the river. He was not just another nameless, weeping face people see on television news. He told me how much he loved winter swimming in the Dnieper River in Kyiv, and how deeply he missed the sight of his mother busy in the kitchen. My own nerves began to vibrate in tandem with his emotions. Suddenly, the war became starkly real, and the pain and vulnerability took on flesh and bone. Thank you, Mark, for sharing your heart with me. I hope everything gets better soon. No one should ever have to endure the agony of war.