Anastasiya Miroshnichenko: Welded Together

Years ago I was the mentor for a film from Belarus. It takes time – and it should – to make documentaries that follow a young person, who is dealing with very hard family conditions like Katya does. She is a welder, a young woman in a world primarily for men. She had a tough childhood due to her mother’s drinking and now the story repeats itself as the mother – still drinking – has given birth to a small girl, Amina, who goes through the same social mess and lack of care as Katya – who wants to do all she can to avoid Amina to be taken to an orphanage as she – Katya – was.

I remember the many online meetings with Anastasiya, where my first question to her was: How is Katya, can she manage to have a life like that, moving from the countryside to live with her mother and Amina. Taking care of the small girl. Does she have a chance to get custody over Amina or are the odds against her: young age, small domicile, single, low income…

From the very start I was emotionally drawn to the story, wanted that all should be good. Looking at the young girl and her face often caught in pain but also with smiles, when her male welders praise her warmly.

I will not reveal where the film goes, just say that Anastasiya has made an impressive documentary with Kasia Boniecka as editor and I am happy to hear that the film – after a pitch at IDFA – has found co-producers in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. And that the film will have its premiere at a Doc Fest in the UK. I can not be more specific as the program of the festival is not out yet. It will also be at the Shanghai International Film Festival. And with the mentioned three co production countries mentioned, one can hope that the film will meet an EU audience. Due to limitations it will not be possible for Belarussian Anastasiya to get a visa in time, if possible at all. A pity she can not be for the premiere in the country of Ken Loach with her strong social and humanistic work.