In this poignant and deeply intimate documentary, three kids temporarily removed from their parents find friendship and flickers of hope inside the worn walls of a remarkable orphanage in Eastern Ukraine. This can happen because dedicated social workers try to fill their lost childhood with moments of joy and relief.

Danish director Simon LERENG WILMONT’s 2022 documentary A House Made of Splinters is an international co-production with Denmark, Ukraine, Sweden, and Finland, especially with support from the Ukraine government agency. The documentary looks closely at a particular orphanage in Lysychansk, located in eastern Ukraine, and sheds light on why children are raised there. While revealing the devastating consequences of war, the film also showcases the dedication of social workers who take care of the children who have lost their parents or cannot be raised by their families due to the war. While it is heartening to see children leaving the orphanage to go to safer places or with their relatives, it is equally heartbreaking to see them sad about leaving their caretakers. As we watch new children keep arriving at the orphanage, we can’t help but question the motives behind the ongoing war. (CHUN Jinsu)