THE LAST SUMMER (WT)

The village of Yahidne, which bears the scars of the Russian occupation, is the setting for Sergei’s turbulent youth. He was only 14 when he was forced to hide in a cellar for days on end; a large scar runs across his back, caused by a piece of rocket shrapnel during the Russian invasion, a visible reminder of a childhood cut short.

This film offers a glimpse of what lies ahead for a generation of teenagers when the challenges of growing up are shaped by the reality of war. Sergei’s story oscillates between a normal teenage life and the normalisation of the fear that accompanies his existence.

The two directors have been following Sergei with their camera since 2023, and he has now just turned 18.