Child of Chernobyl

“‘Child of Chernobyl’ is a poignant look at the consequences of a nuclear disaster through the eyes of a child. Combining stop-motion images of a lone teddy bear in a playground with voice over excerpts from a young girl’s diary, Ziemsen creates a haunting effect that stays with you long after the film is over.” – Planet in Focus Festival, Toronto, 2002 “Child of Chernobyl” portrays a child’s perspective of the immediate aftermath of the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine on April 26, 1986. The film reveals how the filmmaker experienced the days following Chernobyl, while living in Germany at the time. Depicted though stop-motion animation of toys using color Super 8mm, the film shows the naïveté of a young girl who does not understand why she is not allowed to play outside with her lonesome toys. In many ways, the film represents the misinformed public of Europe and beyond, many of whom were enjoying the outdoor spring weather (and all its invisible contamination).