Heimweh - Kindheit zwischen den Fronten

The First Casualty of War is the Truth

"The Truth" Something we associate with childhood, innocence, naivety, honesty, bliss, wonder, trust.

Childhood is under threat worldwide, the stress of a Toxic Capitalism and over population has left our children traumatised and vulnerable.

Homo Sapiens are a destructive species, but their is a moment in their development that is truly wonderful, childhood.

This documentary illustrates how we have truly lost our way, Capitalism fuels the war in Ukraine

Trillions of Dollars in supplied weapons and promises of joining NATO under certain conditions

Children want loving parents and a nice meal and warm bed, but the Patriarchy insists on it's dick measuring contest.

The whole World of Children is at war , and Truth is not the first casualty, it's always the Children.

This is quite a touching documentary that follows the lives of some young children who are not orphaned in the traditional sense, but who are subject to ongoing legal proceedings relating to their parents and guardians. For many of these boisterous and confused youngsters, this large hostel is the safest place for them to be - but with many very young and unsettled, the task for the facility's administrators is very much eggshell treading territory. It's set in Ukraine - before Russia invaded, but it could actually quite readily relocate to many places around the world where the traditional family units have long stopped functioning effectively - either as a result of neglect, or tragedy, or just parents who cannot cope with children with special requirements or behavioural difficulties. This institution is not a permanent solution, and as we are introduced to the kids we appreciate that their futures are all pretty fluid. Another orphanage? Adoption? Can siblings stay together? "I just want to go home" is a phrase oft said by boys and girls alike as they struggle to navigate this unwelcome uncertainty. The downside of productions like this, though, is keeping the camera in it's proper (discrete) place. Here, that doesn't really work and frequently the actions and reactions look just a bit too staged. How are you expected to get a genuine reaction from an eight year old when there's a camera crew adjacent? There are scenes of intimacy at which we simply do not belong, let alone need a front row seat for. The skill from the director requires us to see enough, but not everything - and to know when to call an halt to the intrusion of our observations. That skill isn't so evident here. There are some fairly characterful children though, and their professional carers really epitomise just how difficult it is to house and rehouse these lively and rudderless individuals when there is constant pressure on funds, space, time and on themselves. It's certainly worth a watch, but it could have benefitted more from some editorial subtlety and a more judicious sense of what we ought to have seen.

I had to push myself to keep watching A House Made of Splinters, not because it was bad - it wasn't. It was because it was so heart breaking. Regardless of this being set in a Ukraine children's home, I think this documentary is universal as there are children going through this all over the world. Drug addict, alcoholic and abusive parents who don't give a damn about their children is something that is unfortunately wide spread across the world, it happens even in your own suburb probably.

It was hard to watch these beautiful children going through such sadness. I would hate to know what they are thinking in their delicate minds, how unloved they were feeling, how abandoned they were.

The staff of the home appear to do their best for them, but their hands are tied. They can't control useless parents.

I think this documentary is a must watch for any parent.

I hope that all these children featured are safe and having better lives.

A very touching film about children in a shelter. You get to follow some children during they stay, wich can be no more than 9 months.

I liked the film very much and was touched by it. It would have been the same even in different times, but now when Russia has attacked Ukraine 10 days ago and so many suffer badly. Those children don't have an easy life and now also the war. Do they have food, water and heating? Are they still alive? Those thoughts came to me when watching. It's such a cruel war. All wars are cruel, of course.

Thank you for this wonderful portrait of the children!

I appreciate documentaries as these ,sometimes feel it's all sad music and encroach emotions but..situations such as these happen all over the world,not just Ukraine.

While heartbreaking,I felt after watching it,these poor kids will be lost in some system,probably forever. They seem as if they don't have a chance. Parents who don't care and children who are too young to understand that they could be forgotten and want to come across as tough,hard lined and would,hopefully,survive life.

The staff are beautiful as they don't give up and genuinely care for these kids unconditionally,but know it's to no avail.

Kids that age don't really know what's going on. In a house with others that are hardened to the reality that they won't leave,or simply return,they mould the younger to emulate them...some kind of legacy for them.

For what is going on in Eastern Europe at the moment,it's a heartbreaking reminder of the lost,abandoned children of a war they will never understand and any war doesn't really solve anything ,conflict just holds a grudge against it's "enemy" ,only to to show its ugly head again years later and more innocents suffer.

Beautiful but heartbreaking and I wish the women who run the establishment thanks for genuinely caring for these lost souls.