Unique film featuring Ukrainian corgi premieres in Joensuu

A unique film premiered in Joensuu on Friday, featuring a four-legged star that has fled war. “Where is Your Home, Winston?” is a family-oriented movie based on true events, telling the story of a Ukrainian corgi escaping the ravages of war and finding refuge in Finland. The film centers around Winston, who traveled from Kharkiv to eastern Finland with his owner, Olga Filippova, and her son, Ivan, in the spring of 2022.

This project blends animation and real-life footage from a dog’s perspective, showcasing Winston’s adaptation to his new home. It tackles themes of displacement and integration and involved a large collaborative team. Due to the challenges of filming in Ukraine, parts of Winston’s journey to Finland were depicted through animation.

In addition to the film, a children’s book based on Winston’s story has been published. These creative works emerged as educators and parents sought ways to discuss the realities of war with children. The script was crafted to resonate with adult audiences as well, emphasizing the deep emotional themes present in the narrative.

Filippova describes the film as a tale of friendship, caring, and support, reflecting on the importance of human emotions. Though she feels a lingering sense of homesickness, her family has been warmly welcomed in Finland, and she expressed gratitude for the support received.

The film’s production team has created materials for various audiences, including workshops addressing prejudice and negative attitudes. An advance showing occurred in Riga during a Ukrainian conference, receiving enthusiastic feedback. The film has also been invited to next year’s film festival in Tallinn.