Children of Mariupol are dying every day
About our film
Help us to STOP this WAR
In the heart of war-torn Mariupol, the unwavering survival stories of three women illuminate the immense tragedy they faced, offering a powerful glimpse into their harrowing journey.
Brief Synopsis
"Mariupol: Survivors" is a compelling documentary feature that marks the directorial debut of artist Mariia Mykhno. This poignant film captures the essence of an unsettling refrain, where three resilient women at its core recount the horrors of war as though they still bear witness to its haunting presence.
Olga's story
The documentary is constructed around the narratives of women from different generations: a young student, a devoted mother and wife, and a retired pensioner. Through their deeply personal stories, the film offers a visceral portrayal of their journeys through the siege city of At the heart of the narrative lies Olga, a woman who once had a thriving family. Her husband, Evgeny, cherished her, and they were blessed with three children, including a 9-month-old son when the war began.
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The family chose not to evacuate at the onset of hostilities, believing the mayor's reassurances that Mariupol would endure. Tragically, their world shattered when a Russian rocket struck their home on March 10th. Evgeny lost his life, and Olga found herself in the clutches of Russian captors, her life hanging by a thread. Against all odds, Olga managed to escape and survive with the children but the search for her beloved husband's remains in the war-torn city continues to haunt her.
Olena's story
The second heroine, Elena, a retired civil servant, and her husband embarked on a mission to save children from Mariupol's chaos. Gathering kids from friends and acquaintances, they placed them in two cars and sent them to a safer location under the guidance of their 18-year-old son. Elena's agonizing journey revolves around the uncertainty of her son's fate, lost amid the turmoil of war. Their story is further compounded by the relentless saving of their two beloved dogs, whom they managed to evacuate alive.
Mariia's story
The third story unfolds with Maria, a young student, who narrowly escaped death three times. Constantly changing residences as Russian rockets relentlessly targeted her. Maria and her family sought refuge in her grandmother's home. As fate would have it, their sanctuary was obliterated by a Russian missile, yet miraculously, Maria survived.
"The world hears us!"
The Russian army indiscriminately murdered between
87,000 and 138,000 civilians in Mariupol.
1st Episod
The documentary's narratives are corroborated by reports from the Institute for the Study of War. As the film draws to a close, it confronts the grim reality of the conflict's toll on Mariupol, with estimates ranging between 87,000 to 138,000 lives lost based on analysis of Marax burial site photographs from February to September 2022.
Yet, the true extent of the tragedy remains concealed, as Mariupol remains under Russian control, denying international organizations the ability to conduct exhumations and aid families in locating their loved ones. This documentary not only sheds light on these pressing issues but also serves as a call to action to assist survivors and support Ukraine's armed forces. The quicker the city is liberated, the sooner families like Olga's can find closure and lay their loved ones to rest. "Mariupol: Survivors" is an emotional exploration of human endurance, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of those who have lived through the darkest of times.
our team
My Mary Production
We are Mariia Mykhno and Anastasiia Bazdyrieva, filmmakers from Ukraine and owners My Mary Production LLC. Currently, our country is in the midst of a war. Our mission is to unveil the complete truth about the war through a documentary series. The first episode is dedicated to the city of Mariupol. We aim to expose the harsh realities of this dreadful conflict. In the future, we plan to cover additional episodes, including Bucha, Irpin, Gostomel, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Kherson, Vinnytsia, Sumy, Bakhmut, and Soledar.
Mariіa Mykhno: A Journey from Television to Humanitarian Filmmaking
Mariia Mykhno is a seasoned filmmaker and post-production director who has spent over a decade working in influential positions in Ukrainian television. Her career has been marked by the successful management of several prominent projects, including "Hell’s Kitchen Ukraine," "Ukraine has a Talent," "X-Factor," "This Time Next Year," "The Bachelor," and more. With her creative vision and leadership, Maria established herself as a prominent figure in the Ukrainian entertainment industry.
At the heart of this project lies Mariia's unwavering commitment to exposing the injustices of war and the unfathomable power wielded by those who bear its brunt. "Mariupol: Survivors" aims to capture the world's attention and ignite a global conversation about the rampant lawlessness perpetuated by war and the devastating consequences of placing weapons in the hands of soldiers.
Anastasiia Bazdyrieva: Documenting the Resilience of Mariupol
Anastasiia Bazdyrieva, a senior editor, and owner of My Mary Production, is based in Los Angeles, California. Anastasiia's extensive professional journey in journalism and television production commenced in Ukraine. Subsequently, she expanded her horizons, taking on the roles of Senior Editor and TV Presenter in Warsaw, Poland.
Her current project, "Mariupol: Survivors," epitomizes her dedication to impactful storytelling and documentary filmmaking. Her extensive experience has played a pivotal role in creating a high-quality product — a documentary film about the war in Ukraine, recognized at multiple film festivals in the United States. Anastasiia wants to shed light on the stark truths of the harrowing war in Ukraine.
The Journey of Leni Rico
Actress Leni Rico was born in Linares, Spain. She quickly secured roles in films such as "La Debutante" and "The Print," the latter earning recognition at the Phillips Cinema Parallel Lines Contest judged by Sir Ridley Scott. Following her success in Spain, Leni moved to Los Angeles to further pursue her passion for filmmaking. Currently, Leni is making her debut as a producer in the film "Mariupol: Survivors."
Our primary goal is to assist the people of Mariupol in reclaiming their city.
That's why we are supporting the Ukrainian army. The Azov Regiment needs weapons and other military equipment to reclaim Mariupol for Ukraine. Homeless people read the news every day, hoping to hear that Mariupol has been liberated. You can help these people return home.
Contact Us
Let's Get Started!
Would you like to take part in the production of a film about Mariupol? Please share your ideas and let us know how you can contribute to our project.
Mariupol.Survivors
📞 224 632 2422
By appointment only.
