There Will Be Light

Lieke Heil received a grant for the development of a new film. In a devastated village in eastern Ukraine, Kola is one of the few who returns after it has been liberated from Russian occupation. Determined, he begins rebuilding his house and his life. But as the war continues, the frontline moves closer, and he realises the village will never be as it once was, his motivation begins to shift. This contemplative documentary shows the impact of war on the daily life of someone who remains in a kind of ‘no man’s land’ and explores what happens to motivation, hope, and the sense of home when everything around you disappears.

Lieke is a committed documentary filmmaker with an eye for the small and the human. She creates films in which she comes close to her subjects and makes their stories tangible for the viewer. Her work often arises from personal involvement and focuses on people who find strength and meaning in remarkable circumstances. With an open perspective and intuitive style, she explores themes such as resilience, autonomy, and the impact of political or social systems on the daily life of the individual.