Irpin. Home.

My name is Serhiy, and I am a cinematographer based in Ukraine. Our family house is located in Irpin, near Kyiv. In April 2022, when russian troops approached Kyiv, Irpin became a hot war zone. We managed to evacuate at the last moment amidst the sounds of explosions. Fortunately, we emerged unharmed, but unfortunately, upon our return, we found our house completely destroyed. Over the past two years, we have undertaken the task of rebuilding our house ourselves. I documented every step, capturing the initial emotions of my parents when they first saw the ruins of the house they had dedicated around ten years of their lives to, building it with love. From the initial shock to the final preparations and the celebration of the New Year in our newly reconstructed home. Our house is a duplex, and we share a wall with our neighbor who decided not to undertake any restoration efforts. As a result, one side of the house remains untouched, creating a stark before-and-after contrast. Through this film, I aim to share my personal story of losing not just a house but a home in a deeper sense - a story that resonates with thousands of others in Ukraine following the onset of war. Additionally, I want to showcase the resilient spirit of my parents, who refused to give up even after losing everything. My goal is to offer inspiration to the world, illustrating the journey of returning to a new home after the upheaval of a once-ruined life. It's a narrative of forging a new, better life, what for Ukraine is fighting right now.