Educational Media Reviews Online

As the world approaches the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, this documentary offers a glimpse of the difficulties faced by Ukrainians who fled to Poland to escape this conflict. In under 30 minutes, Finding Fate showcases three women, Nastia, who departed Ukraine with her parents and daughter; Anna, a Polish woman who lives in a border town and opens her home to a Ukrainian refugee and her children; and Marzena, a Polish woman with Jewish heritage who aims to right the wrongs of the Polish citizenry who during the Nazi occupation ignored the doomed plight of her ancestors. Although one sees disturbing scenes of bombed-out Ukrainian buildings and cities, most of the film is set in Poland in the city of Kraków and the border town of Cieszanów. These areas of Poland witnessed an influx of Ukrainian refugees at the start of the Russian invasion, a sight that brought Anna, a mother of a young child, to tears. Anna responded by volunteering to assist evacuees and house individuals escaping the war.

Finding Fate reveals the kindness of Polish individuals such as Anna and Marzena who go above and beyond to assist Ukrainians such as Nastia and her family who arrived in Poland with few belongings. They provide food, clothing, and lodging. Nastia’s disturbing descriptions of the dire situation in Ukraine and the horrid treatment of civilians by Russian soldiers are slightly assuaged by the kindness she receives from the Polish people. In an interview with the filmmakers the mayor of Cieszanów expresses his surprise at the generous outpouring of assistance and support provided by today’s Poles as Ukraine-Polish relations were terrible at the conclusion of World War II. Unfortunate events from the mid-twentieth century seem to have been forgotten by individuals such as Anna who notes that so many private Polish people took in Ukrainian refugees, that initially Poland had little need to establish refugee camps. Marzena, the granddaughter of a Polish Jewish holocaust survivor and the mother of four children buys toys for refugee children. Although she recognizes that today’s Polish population (unlike during her grandfather’s time), possesses more of an awareness and willingness to help those who suffer, she still worries about the fate of her children in the future as the war rages nearby.

This documentary is a sobering reminder that the war in Ukraine continues. The Russian invasion has displaced millions of individuals and killed thousands of people on both sides. During one nocturnal scene in the border town of Cieszanów, the viewer observes the red flaming Ukrainian skies to the east exploding with bombs and artillery. The juxtaposition of this violent imagery witnessed from the quiet fields in Poland is disquieting. This film also incorporates relatable music such as lovely pieces by Chopin and poignant Ukrainian folk songs. Although the filmmakers cover a lot of material in just under a half an hour, learning more about Marzena’s family history would have enhanced this documentary. Despite the apathy of many Poles, her grandfather managed to survive the Holocaust, but one never learns why or how he escaped his fate. Finding Fate offers a variety of licenses and is recommended for college courses in such disciplines as European Studies, International Relations, Migration Studies, or Peace and Conflict Studies.

Awards:
Official Selection, Boston Film Festival; Official Selection, Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival; Official Selection, DWF:NY

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