Ukrainian film about schooling during war enters Berlinale's main competition

The list of competition films was shared by Variety. 

Hornostay’s “Strichka chasu” (“Timestamp”), a documentary about school life in Ukraine during the war, has been selected for Berlinale's main program. It will vie for the prestigious Golden Bear award.

The film will have its world premiere at the Berlinale. According to Suspilne, Timestamp captures life in schools across Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Borodyanka, and Bucha in Kyiv region. The most harrowing part of the film centers on a funeral in Romny, Sumy region. Just two days earlier, a Russian drone strike destroyed a school, killing the principal, deputy principal, librarian, and secretary.

"Our film doesn’t aim to tell personal stories or include interviews," the filmmakers explain. "Timestamp instead plunges viewers into the reality of Ukrainian schools during a war that’s far from over."

Kateryna Hornostay reflects: "War has deeply infiltrated daily life, but there’s no choice but to keep living and learning."

The concept for the film originated with the public association Osvitoria, which took on the role of executive producer. The film was produced by 2Brave Productions.

"We want to remind the world that the war in Ukraine continues. Children and teachers are paying a devastating price for the fundamental right to education," says Zoya Lytvyn, founder of Osvitoria.

The production team includes Olha Beskhmelnitsyna and Natalia Libet, with contributions from colleagues from Luxembourg, Netherlands, and France.

"This is a milestone for us, and we’re thrilled that this story about schools and education has made it to this stage," said Beskhmelnitsyna.

For Hornostay, making it into Berlinale’s main competition was a dream come true. "It’s a huge challenge for us," she shared. "I’m nervous because our film will now stand alongside world-class names. It’s a big responsibility."

• In addition to Timestamp, another film, Special Operation, focusing on Russia’s occupation of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, will also screen at the festival.