“Education is the panacea against the threat of people’s consciousness being manipulated through false information.”
OKSEN LISOVYI - Minister of Education and Science Ukraine
HoW IT STARTED
Stefano di Pietro was inspired to make “"War on Education" after having made “Books not Bombs”, a short film created in 2022, aimed to gather the funds needed to print the schoolbook "Ukraine and the World”, when the printing budgets of Ukraine were directed to the war effort.
Filming in Ukraine
The footage in Ukraine was shot during three missions. The team also documented the impact of the war, and the resilience of the people affected by it.
WITH HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS
Two authors of the textbooks Ukraine and the World, Iryna Kostyuk and Maryna Kaftan, arranged interviews, connected to policy makers, and help to find and clear archival footage.
Filming in russia
We didn’t to put teachers and students from Russia at risk, so had to find alternative ways to represent them. The Russians that we did interview, are living in exile.
Due to the nature of the film, it was necessary to also include footage from Russia. Distinctly, the team was unable to travel to Russia for the filming, so the solution was to ask people who were familiar with Moscow to help us decide what to film. Stefano di Pietro directed a local filmcrew remotely.
Expert Interviews
To contextualise the story, we asked historians, academics, and representatives of international organisations and think tanks to share their views.
Recording Music
The film contains original music composed by Matteo Ruperto. The music and the choir have been recorded live in the studio.
Screening the Film
Since its premiere in February 2024, we have collaborated with organisations across the world to screen the film in numerous international cities including Dresden, Lille, London, Bratislava, Sofia and Buenos Aires. Many of our film showings have been accompanied by panel discussions from those involved in the film’s making.
RATE THE FILM ON
THe Director
Stefano Di Pietro (PhD) is a Film Director whose work focuses on Documentaries and Fiction Films with a Social and Political impact. He received several international awards such as the Berlin Independent Film Festival in 2021, FICTS 2022 in Milan and The Hague International Film Festival in 2023. His films have been screened in more than 30 countries and in Museums such as MACRO, Royal Academy of Spain and Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid.
“Talking with many amazing Ukrainians
during wartime, I realised there was a much bigger story to tell, one that connects to universal and timeless values that I deeply care about and I always try to communicate in my films.”
ORGANISATIONS BEHIND THE DOCUMENTARY
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EuroClio
Producer
EuroClio is the European Association of History Educators. It inspires and supports educators to teach history and citizenship that is motivating and meaningful: students should learn how to think, not be told what to think, and find their education relevant.
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The History Co:lab
Co-Producer
The History Co:Lab catalyses and promotes inspired learning experiences in the humanities, inside and outside the classroom. Their method is based on rigorous learning science around joyful, effective learning so that young people can develop the competencies, concepts and context they need to thrive and build a better future.
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IN MEDIA RES
Production Company
The In Medias Res is a film production company founded by Stefano Di Pietro. More than 200 minutes of films and animations were produced in 15 different countries by IMR only in 2022.
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OFF THE FENCE
Global Distributor
Off the Fence (OTF) is a leading non-fiction content company of global scale and reach, producing and distributing exceptional programming. They have co-produced with networks including; NETFLIX, Discovery Networks International, Smithsonian Networks, National Geographic Channels, France 5, ARTE, BBC and Channel Four.
