Ukrainian Filmmaker returns to Arena Theatre with powerful new documentary ‘CHILDREN’

Following the success of last year’s moving documentary screening of WOMEN, Ukrainian filmmaker Lora Arkhypenko returns to the Arena Theatre with her latest work, CHILDREN - a poignant exploration of young lives disrupted by war.

The event, hosted in collaboration with the University of Wolverhampton’s Research & Enterprise Directorate (RED) and supported by leading academics including Professor Opinderjit Takhar and Professor Zeta Williams-Brown, will bring together communities, researchers, and educators to reflect on the impact of conflict on children and families.

Paula Harrison, from the University’s Access and Widening Participation Team said; “As part of our commitment to community engagement, I reached out to Lora Arkhypenko to offer the University as a welcoming space for both screenings.

“We also run English classes for asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants at our Telford and Wolverhampton campuses - creating opportunities for people to connect, grow in confidence, and build brighter futures through language and learning.”

Last year’s screening of WOMEN drew an audience of nearly 90 people, including members of Ukrainian and other migrant communities. The evening featured authentic Ukrainian cuisine and fostered meaningful dialogue and solidarity. This year’s event promises to build on that momentum, with CHILDREN offering a deeply personal lens into the experiences of displacement and resilience.

In addition to the film screening, the evening may include a pre-event discussion led by Professor Williams-Brown and Robin Carey, who are working with Ukrainian partners to develop Transnational Education (TNE) opportunities between the University of Wolverhampton and Ukrainian universities.

The event will take place on Thursday 27th November from 6pm to 9pm. Tickets can be booked by visiting https://wlv.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873678879