Short Film "Breath of Life"

Thank you for taking the time to look at this GoFundMe campaign for our short film, ‘Breath of Life.’ We aim to make a high-quality film that tells a deeply personal story about resilience and hope.

Your donations will cover set design costs, costumes, special equipment, and post-production, making our film as visually compelling as possible. And you can make this happen!

Any contribution will help us to make this story to be heard! If you are unable to donate, we would greatly appreciate it if you could share our campaign.

THE FILM

Genre: psychological drama inspired by real events.

Breath of Life is the voice of all refugee children who were adopted, kidnapped or subsequently mistreated.

Our story follows two 16-year-old Ukrainian siblings who were given a new home in a tyrannical family. While their new parents see themselves as high-class, they treat the kids like 'servants' in their house. The story is told from the teenagers' perspective as they describe their life with their parents, unaware of how wrong things are. Meanwhile, the audience sees a harsh reality where the kids' dreams and beliefs are shattered. The family mocks them for coming from a 'poor' country and holds stereotypical views about refugees' rights. However, despite all the injustice and mistreatment they face in a foreign place, our protagonists find the comfort of home with each other.

We want to bring attention to social themes such as child abuse, discrimination, racism, and stereotypical tropes about refugees.

WHY THIS, WHY NOW?

With the ongoing conflicts worldwide, millions of children are displaced, facing prejudice, and suffering from the psychological impact of war. The refugee crisis and global inequalities make stories like Breath of Life more important than ever. This film explores how humans can find happiness even in the most difficult circumstances and encourages the audience to 'look into the heart of humanity.’

VISUAL STRATEGY

The visual style of Breath of Life reflects its emotional intensity, blending bold aesthetics with symbolic undertones.

• Colour Palette: A striking mix of "bloody" red and olive green symbolizes conflict, oppression, and hope.

• Costume Design: Eccentric, bold costumes for the parents emphasize their influence and power dynamics, adding a touch of absurdity.

• Camera Techniques: Uncomfortable angles and transitions visually convey the protagonist's psychological tension, immersing the audience.

VISUAL REFERENCES

INFLUENCES

Inspiration is drawn from filmmakers who explore the extremes of human nature. Our main influences are Yorgos Lanthimos, with his impressive work ‘Poor Things’ (2024), the provocative Pedro Almodóvar, especially ‘The Human Voice’(2020), and the experimental films of Gaspar Noé.

The production design is a key element of this film. To portray the absurd and dystopian world with a touch of extremism, our main colour is red in various shades, inspired by Cries and Whispers (1973) and Saltburn (2023).

All these elements helped shape Breath of Life into a controversial, visually striking drama that blurs the line of reality.

WHO ARE WE?

Margo Omirova is a Ukrainian director and co-producer of Breath of Life. She is passionate about telling true stories to raise awareness of global issues. Drawing from her experience as a refugee in an unfamiliar country, Margo learned to stand up for her rights and hope for a better future. While she was fortunate to be hosted by a lovely family, some children continue to face cruelty, discrimination, and

violence daily.

Margo is committed to highlighting issues like a stereotypical view of refugees and giving a genuine voice to important stories. "I didn’t escape from poverty; I ran from the war that threatened my safety. That’s the difference."

Olia Yenko is a co-producer of Breath of Life. She holds a degree in accounting and producing. Her experience includes producing short films, developing storyboards, and distributing a documentary about women’s empowerment and identity.

Olia was hosted by a supportive family who helped her through her refugee journey and deeply influenced her life. She found her voice in filmmaking and collaboration with passionate creatives to bring authentic and impactful stories to life.

WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES?

Below you can see the cost breakdown and how the fund will be used.

If you have any questions or want to know more about our film, please message us on Instagram @breathoflife.film

Thanks so much for your donation. It really does mean a lot to us and every little bit helps us achieve our goal.

We'd be so grateful if you'd share the link with someone you think might be interested in joining or in supporting us!! Warm wishes, Margo and Olia ☺️