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The Resilience of Healthcare Workers During War

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This documentary, created with the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Fund, tells the story of the brave healthcare workers at the National Children's Specialized Hospital 'Okhmatdyt'. In March 2022, director Svitlana Rudyuk began filming 'Not like before' at the hospital. She was struck by the dedication and courage of the doctors who save lives daily. The filming crew spent significant time at the hospital, sometimes even staying overnight during air raids.

In July 2024, the hospital was back in the spotlight when a Russian missile struck its building. This tragedy once again highlighted the strength of Ukrainian medical staff. Despite injuries and shock, the doctors of 'Okhmatdyt' continued to provide aid to those in need and rescue people from the rubble.

In 2025, the film crew returned to the hospital to learn how the doctors were recovering from the devastating attack in the summer of 2024.

The film's main characters are two medical professionals: Valerii Bovkun, a candidate of medical sciences and micro-surgeon, and Aliona Bezlehkа, a physical therapist.

"The hardest part for me is seeing children who have been affected by the war. I strive to help them return to normal life,” said Valerii Bovkun.

"The first days of the invasion were terrifying. We all learned together how to help these children. It was a new experience for us all,” added Aliona Bezlehkа.

Over a thousand minutes of footage were recorded, from which a medium-length film 'Not like before' (46 minutes) was edited.

"This film is a tribute to the healthcare workers who save lives every day. I aimed to be part of their world without interfering," emphasized Svitlana Rudyuk. "We live in constant uncertainty, but we continue to fight for a better future."

The film is available for viewing on the Megogo platform until September 21, after which a festival distribution is planned.