The Global Search for Education: Director Luis Barreto Shows Us the Beauty of a Nation Struggling with War

Posted By C. M. Rubin on Nov 23, 2022

Audiences can stream Kyiv on the Planet Classroom Network this month.

Kyiv is a short film by Director Luis Barreto that depicts aerial shots of Ukraine set to a traditional song in the country’s mother tongue.

Ukraine artist Manionok plays his guitar and sings with strong emotion as different scenes from Ukraine’s capital are shown. The people, magnificent statues, and vibrant architecture remind us of the beauty of a nation struggling with the horrors of war.

The Global Search for Education is pleased to welcome Luis Barreto.

Luis, welcome! This film undoubtedly highlights an important nation that is currently under grave distress. How important was it for you, as a filmmaker, to make Ukraine the subject of your short?

It is important for me to raise a hopeful message that calls for an end to the conflict and an unnecessary humanitarian crisis.

There is no justification for the people from both Ukraine and Russia to suffer the loss of their loved ones.

How did you decide what architecture to focus on in the aerial shots?

In this film, I wanted to emphasize all the vibrant colors within the architecture and especially all the green nature surrounding their churches, their iconic buildings, the people, their rivers and their colorful houses.

All the nature growing within the city gives a hopeful feeling and also the art expressed on walls, on many corners and as well as from artists such as Manionok that certainly creates a great atmosphere that I hope remains through these uncertain times.

Ukraine has endured so much loss. Can you talk about the significance of choosing to emphasize the beauty of the nation over the hardship?

There is actually so much beauty within the city and its people that it is really hard to imagine what they are going through at the moment. Perhaps the nature emphasized throughout the film and the colorful architecture is an example of how trees as well as man made constructions can coexist armonically.

What kind of effect do you hope this project has on viewers? What effect has it had on you?

I am aiming for people’s reflection on how actually we should focus our support for the citizens of the nations involved. My hope is for a diplomatic and peaceful end to the war between Russia and Ukraine and to work on solutions for the humanitarian crisis for the citizens affected by the conflict.

Thank you Luis!