Ukrainians recited the lyrics to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in a powerful film that marked the anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), released a one-minute video that shows the destruction caused by Vladimir Putin’s war. Millions were unable to return home after being forced to flee.
It starts with a black screen and the caption “Ukraine.” February. 2023.” Over music by Max Richter, a German-born British composer and pianist, a cast of actors who are still living in Ukraine recite lines from the anthemic Gerry and the Pacemakers Song.
A young boy is seen swinging in front of a tower block. He says the famous line “And don’t be afraid to the dark, at end of a storm.”
This month’s footage also features a boy in an underground bomb shelter, a doctor at a hospital, a couple outside their homes and a dog owner, as well as a child and woman sitting on a bus.
It is called “Never Alone” and was directed by remote cameras.
The film stars actors, but they are real people who have been helped through DEC charities.
The video ends with a black screen that says: “The UK raised more than PS400 million so people of Ukraine didn’t walk alone.” Also, images of aid workers who traveled to the country to offer their assistance.
Since its launch on March 3, 2022, the DEC’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal raised PS414m. This includes PS25m that was donated by the UK Aid Match scheme.
In the six-months that followed, the only aid provided using DEC funds was:
- Access to clean water for 1.9 million people
- 392,000 people received food assistance including hot meals, food parcels, and food assistance.
- 338k people received cash payments to cover their basic needs
- 127,000 people accessed basic services at transit centers for the displaced
- 71,000 people who used primary healthcare services
- 114,000 people received legal support and assistance
- Ten thousand people were given temporary accommodation
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Rick Dodds, film director, said that “This film is an archive of Ukraine in February 2023 — exactly one year after the conflict began.”
“We cast Ukrainians still living in Ukraine – so we could capture their resilience and strength as well as their Ukrainian stoicism.
“The poetic words of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” took on an entirely new power when they were delivered by actors in real and dramatic locations.
“An example: A woman standing outside her destroyed house said, “Though your dreams be tossed” A young boy standing in a bomb shelter uttered, “With hope in your heart,”
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Simon Beresford (DEC director of marketing and fundraising) praised the “incredible generosity”, of the British public.
He said, “We are really proud that we were able to work with a Ukrainian crew and cast to make this movie.”
“We believe that shooting it in Ukraine has added layers to the project but made it more authentic and powerful.
“Everyone involved in the film’s production in Ukraine was affected by the conflict. Their creative input was invaluable to the success of the project.”
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