The UN Population Fund and Starlight Doc present a documentary film dedicated to indomitable Ukrainian mothers who give birth to children during the war. Viewers of the marathon will see the premiere today, February 22, at 9:30 p.m.

"Lust for life" is the real-life story of three Ukrainian mothers. Anna, who with her 2-month-old baby ended up in a storage facility on Azovstal. Maryana, the captain of the medical service, was captured by Russian soldiers in Mariupol and spent 6 months in captivity while pregnant. Ania is a mother of two children from Izyum, Kharkiv region, who gave birth in an occupied city – without electricity, water, limited medical care, and in conditions of constant danger.

The documentary is dedicated to the strength of Ukrainian women. Despite the complexity of the conditions in which the heroines of the film were, their personal stories remind us that light will overcome darkness, and life will overcome the horrors of war.

Jaime Nadal, UNFPA Representative in Ukraine: "During the almost 12 months of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, more than 760 medical facilities were attacked and destroyed. However, in 2022, more than 195,000 women gave birth in Ukraine. This documentary is about the power of life, about the importance of reproductive health services for saving women's lives. This film is a dedication to the resilient Ukrainian women and a declaration of our commitment to continue supporting maternity hospitals, health workers and mobile clinics that ensure women can give birth safely in spite of the war".

Anastasia Steinhaus, Head of Starlight Doc: "Almost a year of full-scale war is behind us. A year of the greatest pain, a year of loss and darkness with which the enemy wanted to break us. But we stand, we fight and we give new life. February, which has been going on for a year, is definitely not about fear. It is about gratitude and unity, about admiration for the courage of Ukrainian women and men, about the power of love and faith. Therefore, our film, which is broadcast on the eve of the anniversary of the invasion, is a story about Ukraine's future. About life that always wins. We thank our partners from UNFPA, not only for the opportunity to tell this story together, but also for their tremendous work to support these lives - mothers and Ukrainian children born during the war".

Author of the idea and creative producer: Oleksandra Tkachenko.

Producer of the film: Hanna Kalina. 

Director of the film: Olena Zakharchuk.

The film was produced by UNFPA and Starlight Doc with the support of Denmark and the Republic of Korea.

Watch the trailer here: