Unfortunately, we havent been able to secure U.S. distribution.
So, weve made it this far all by ourselves, says the Danish director with a laugh.
Wilmont filmed within its walls for over a year.
Sasha (right) and Polina in ‘A House Made of Splinters’Final Cut for Real/Giant Pictures/POV
The boys and girls sheltered there were removed from their parents by court order for their protection.
One boy tells fellow kids his dad beat him when he was drunk and once stabbed his mother.
Was there a lot of blood?
Director Simon Lereng WilmontFinal Cut For Real
Yeah, a whole pool of blood.
Three children Eva, Sasha and Kolya take center stage in the film.
I was drawn to Eva because of the look in her eye, the director recalls.
It had both sadness and joy, and she was doing these cartwheels all the time.
As for Sasha, She seemed to be living in her own little world.
But contrary to a lot of the other kids, she didnt seem unhappy to be there.
Kolya, hes just a charmer, you know?
If I was still a boy of 14, thats the guy I would hang out with.
Youre absolutely sure you would be going on adventures.
They might be dangerous at times, but they will always be interesting…
But on the inside, hes a sensitive boy.
Wilmont also worked closely with kids inThe Distant Barking of Dogs.
Hes developed a method to accustom his subjects to filming.
I take out the camera from the very beginning.
I keep it with me always.
They want to see their friends.
They comfort the children and speak openly with them about the circumstances they face.
At one point it seemed almost brutal, Wilmont says of the caregivers conversations with the kids.
Production wrapped before last Februarys Russian invasion.
Since then, most of the kids in the orphanage have been relocated to somewhat safer areas.
Thats a good thing, because Lysychansk has witnessed intense fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces.
So, theres now a missile sticking out of the shelter.
Wilmont looks for glimmers of hope about the prospects for these kids.
Children are incredibly adaptable…
In these shelters, they form attachments and friendships as deep and important as family bonds.
