“The impact of armed conflict on children is everyone’s responsibility. And it must be everyone’s concern.” Graca Machel-Mandela
“We Are Waiting” is a gripping and heartfelt documentary that intersects the stories of three female characters whose profound and multi-generational perspectives bring depth and dimension to war’s effects on the youngest and most vulnerable – the children.
The grandmother, Anya, impacted by the murder of her family in front of her as a child struggles to understand why the world hasn’t learnt its lessons with war surrounding her again. She weeps at the thought that she was born into war and will now die in a war. The teenager, Polina, forced to grow up prematurely, confronts the challenges of coming into adolescence in the darkest of circumstances, tortured by distressing dreams of Putin, she tries to. Meanwhile, a mother and psychologist tasked with preserving humanity becomes a beacon of solace while embracing her family trauma and coming close to ending her own life.
These stories unfold through the empathetic lens of Polish/Australian director Agnes Burrell, whose family history goes back to the First and Second World Wars in Poland. “We Are Waiting” exposes the complex nature of war, culture and generational damage. The documentary is shedding light on the war atrocities in Ukraine while also looking inside the profound human capacity to endure, adapt, and ultimately find hope.
This story transcends and speaks to the lives of 468+ million children who are currently affected by war and armed conflicts globally.
It’s a testament to the unyielding spirit that emerges even in the darkest of times, leaving audiences with a renewed sense of concern, empathy and understanding for those who are facing the unimaginable. The impact of armed conflict on children is everyone’s responsibility. We can start by acknowledging it and understanding their needs. They Are Waiting.
