Timestamp

Keeping schools open in Ukraine is an attempt to preserve a part of the normal life that existed before the war. Without interviews or reconstructions, Timestamp offers an intimate and direct insight into the daily lives of students and teachers, both at the front and in safer areas. The film observes how schools operate, both physically and online, and how teaching continues amidst air alarms, shelters, and uncertainty. By following students and teachers for a year, Timestamp shows how a society under extreme pressure strives to hold on to humanity, structure, and hope. The war is felt everywhere, even though it often remains out of sight: the light shines, lessons continue, but the threat is ever-present. 

The film emphasizes the resilience, bravery, and dedication of those trying to provide their children with a future in the midst of a war. Timestamp is directed by Kateryna Gornostai (Stop-Zemlia). The film premiered earlier this year at the Berlin Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear, and was selected for the Film Fest Gent (nominated for the Grand Prix for Best Film) and IDFA.