The Children of Leningradsky

Watch The Children of Leningradsky

"Blood-chilling, terrifying..."
  • 2005
  • 35 min
  • 7.8  (944)

The Children of Leningradsky is a 2005 documentary film directed by Hanna Polak, a Russian filmmaker who spent more than two years following a group of homeless children who lived in the Leningradsky railway station in Moscow. The film focuses on the daily struggles of these children who are forced to survive in the harsh and unforgiving environment of the station, without the help of their parents or any other adults.

The movie begins with an introduction to the children who live in the station, most of them ranging in age from 7 to 17. The director captures their daily routine, which consists of begging for food and money, stealing, sniffing glue and other solvents, and sleeping in makeshift shelters made out of cardboard boxes and other discarded materials. The children are in a constant state of danger and have to be careful not to fall prey to drug dealers or sex traffickers who roam the station and prey on vulnerable children.

As the film progresses, the viewer is introduced to several of the children in more detail, including young boys named Misha and Yura, who have become close friends and look out for each other. Despite their difficult living conditions, the children still find ways to have fun and enjoy life, playing games and creating makeshift toys out of whatever they can find.

The film also shows how the children rely on each other for support and comfort, with the older children acting as guardians and mentors to the younger ones. One of the most heart-wrenching scenes in the movie shows a group of older boys trying to console a young girl named Irina, who has just been raped by a man who had lured her away from the station with the promise of food.

Throughout the film, Polak takes a hands-off approach, allowing the children to tell their own stories without the intrusion of narration or talking heads. The result is a raw and powerful documentary that gives an unflinching look at the lives of these children, with all their struggles, pain, and occasional moments of joy.

The filmmaker's decision to stay behind the scenes also allows for moments of unexpected beauty and poetry. Shots of the children playing in the snow or the rain, their faces lit up with delight, or moments of introspection when they talk about their dreams or what they miss about their former lives, are juxtaposed with scenes of brutality and despair.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is the contrast between the innocence of the children and the bleakness of their surroundings. The children have not lost their capacity for play and imagination, but they must constantly confront the harsh reality of their situation. The contrast is heightened by the cinematography, which captures the beauty of the station and the surrounding city, even as it shows the squalor and despair of the children's lives.

The Children of Leningradsky is a heartbreaking and courageous film that shines a light on the plight of the homeless and forgotten children in Russia. It is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit, even in the most dire of circumstances. The children in this film are not just victims; they are individuals with their own stories, dreams, and personalities, who refuse to be defeated by their circumstances.

In conclusion, The Children of Leningradsky is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who sees it. The film is a testament to the power of documentary filmmaking to give voice to those who are often ignored or forgotten by society. It is a must-see for anyone interested in social justice issues and in learning more about the lives of homeless children.

The Children of Leningradsky
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Description
  • Release Date
    2005
  • Runtime
    35 min
  • Language
    Spanish
  • IMDB Rating
    7.8  (944)