WATCH: Awards nominated film made in Badenoch is reminder of conflict in Ukraine
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A heart-warming short film shot in Badenoch featuring the story of one Ukrainian refugee has been nominated for a UK award.
Willie Anderson, who is deputy leader of the Cairngorm Mountain rescue team, had self-catering accommodation at his home in Insh and made it available for Anastasiia Kvasha, from Kiev, after Putin’s invasion of her country in March 2022.
“We made a video,” he told the Strathy, “for the Scottish Refugee Council and I’m delighted to see if has been put forward for the Smiley Charity Film Awards.”
Watch the Scottish Refugee Council video here
Anastasiia – ‘Nas’ to her friends, especially those she used to serve in the Suie Bar before going off to uni at Inverness earlier this year – soon settled in at Insh but is still longing for the nightmare of the conflict to be over.
She lives in hope that the Russians can be repelled once and for all. As she prepared to leave Badenoch for a Christmas in Kiev, she said she was excited that the film she made with the Andersons had been so well received.
The 36-year-old, who worked as a HR manager in Ukraine, fled the country when war broke out in February 2022. After going to Montenegro, she arrived in the Highlands. But her thoughts are constantly with her family, especially her brother – she did not name him – who is fighting with the Ukrainian army: “He is in the most hot area of Ukraine. Every day we wait to hear some news about him.”
The wait is punctuated with worry reports: “There was a bomb around 20 minutes away from my house. It’s hard, but we get used to it.
“It’s sad, but then you just need to move on because tomorrow will be tomorrow. “
As she prepared to leave the strath for the festive season, she insisted: “I’m not nervous because my parents are there and everyday I’m as nervous here as I would be there. It’s absolutely okay. I am completely happy to go.
“My father is always worried about this. When we have some bomb explode in Ukraine he always says ‘let them do it now before you come home for visit’.”
When she returns from her trip home, Nas will resume her studies at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).
Mr Anderson explained that he and his wife Mary were moved to help her after seeing the images of the war in Ukraine in its early days.
He said: “We’ve got our own kids and you’d like to think if the roles were reversed then someone would help. We’ve been friends for two years now and Nas is part of the family. We’ll be worried for her while she’s away, but hopefully she will keep in touch by text.”
Willie and Anastasia both star in the three-minute short film by the Scottish Refugee Council which has been nominated for the Charity Film Awards.
“It’s a nice surprise to see the recognition but I feel it’s important to raise awareness on what is still happening in my country,” said Anastasiia. “It’s good to remind people about Ukraine and maybe our video will help with this.”
