Ukrainian Youth in Scotland
5 Short Films by Young Ukrainian Refugees
Media Education worked with young Ukrainians to create short films exploring what it means to be a young Ukrainian in Scotland today. Following a series of creative training sessions, the filming, scripts and storyboards were completed by the young filmmakers. With the aim to share the films with audiences in schools across Scotland, the films express the different achievements and experiences of having to navigate new systems and life after moving to Edinburgh, offering advice and valuable insights into these young people’s lives.
Starting School in Scotland
Початок навчання в школі у Шотландії
Overview
In this short film, Olha shares her initial impressions of having to start in a completely new school in Edinburgh after moving from Ukraine. She discusses various details and feelings that stood out for her during this time, as well as her hopes for the future. The film comprises her own written narration and filming around the settings of her school.
Link to Vimeo where you can download the file for offline use: Starting School in Scotland
Questions for Discussion
Can you remember your first day at school? What might be difficult about starting school in another country in another language?
How do you think this experience might make someone feel, can you list the emotions?
In what ways do you think Olha has been successful in overcoming the challenges she has faced.
A New Life
Нове життя
Overview
Sviatoslav focuses on how hobbies and interests have helped him throughout his time of adjusting to ‘A New Life’ in Scotland. As part of his film, Sviatoslav shares his long term passion for basketball and drawing, as well as how much he likes exploring his new surroundings using the local bus network. All of these aspects of his life now play a major part in his new environment. The film concludes with advice and encouragement, addressing the importance of connection and trying things out.
Link to Vimeo where you can download the file for offline use: A New Life
Questions for Discussion
What role do you think hobbies and interests can play in people’s lives?
What are some of the kinds of activities that have presented challenges to you in your life? These could be in sports, hobbies, school etc.
Have you learnt things through hobbies and interests that help you in your wider life?
Feeling Welcome
Почуття гостинності
Overview
In ‘Feeling Welcome’, Nastya reflects on her initial experience of discovering Edinburgh, encountering an entirely new language, city and culture. Knowing only very little about Scotland before having to leave Ukraine, her film focuses on the positive and welcoming interactions during this time of change.
Link to Vimeo where you can download the file for offline use: Feeling Welcome
Questions for Discussion
What do you know about Ukraine? List any details that come to mind. Where have you learned this information?
What do you think makes a person feel welcome?
Can you describe an occasion where you have welcomed someone who might feel nervous about joining a group, entering an event, joining your class?
Ilya's Message
Повідомлення Іллі
Overview
How do you keep hold of your dreams when everything in your life changes as a young person? Told through a combination of visual shots on camera and smartphone, Ilya shares personal aspects of the past and present; his journey from Ukraine and arrival in Scotland, revealing his passion for Ukrainian folk dance that has been a prominent part of his life since childhood. The film addresses the struggles of adjusting to a new setting, separation and the impact of missing a life and dream that has had to be left behind.
Link to Vimeo where you can download the file for offline use: Ilya’s Message
Questions for Discussion
What is Ilya feeling?
Ilya shares both the challenges and positive aspects of his life in Scotland. What do you think is helping Ilya throughout this time?
What is the significance of Ilya’s dream and why is it important for a person having to leave their home country?
Being Young With Responsibilities
Бути молодим з відповідальністю
Overview
Inna has put together a powerful film about the challenges of new responsibilities as a young person building a new life separated from her family in Ukraine. This film was carefully scripted and filmed by Inna, capturing her different everyday experiences in Scotland. With the help of a friend, she filmed specific details on buses, in shops and around the city. She is very open in the way she articulates the difficulties and misunderstandings that she has faced, and identifies various aspects that have helped her in Scotland.
Link to Vimeo where you can download the file for offline use: Being Young With Responsibilities
Questions for Discussion
What are the challenges for Inna?
What helped Inna?
What do you think Inna means at the end of her film when she says ‘just don’t stand still’?
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