With Alexis Bicât
How did this film come together?
Romchyk came together when a group of students in South London centred on a news story of Roman Oleksiv who was badly burned and suffered multiple injuries leaving him unable to walk on 14 July 2022 in a Russian missile strike which also killed his mother Halyna. The story centres around the seemingly insurmountable journey Romchyk makes to become a ballroom dancer.
Did anything unexpected happen as you were making this film?
Due to circumstances beyond out control we lost our entire art department four weeks before the shoot. It is a miracle and testament to the skills of our Art Director Dongmin Zheng and our Production Designer Melfin Pereira that the film's sets and dressing came together at all.
What's the best filmmaking advice you've ever received?
It's too profane to print here but I'll tell you when I meet you.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
When we look through the eyes of a child, we can see more clearly the horrific cost of war but also the resilience of the human spirit. Roman’s courage and tenacity are what make this story truly inspirational. I was really honoured and humbled to direct this movie. My hope is that Roman’s brave decision to allow us to tell his story highlights the true horror of what’s happening in Ukraine today. I’m of Chechen and Russian descent and there are many resemblances to what happened in Chechnya, as well as many other historic conflicts over land and sovereignty that will resonate with people of all backgrounds. It’s especially shocking to see the way that children are deliberately targeted. Hopefully the film will highlight that.
Elling Lien
