Virginia – September 21, 2023 – In a poignant tale of human resilience and the enduring strength of the human spirit, the documentary “Camp Courage” is set to premiere on Netflix on October 15th, 2023. This gripping film, directed by Max Lowe, captures the inspiring journey of Milana and Olga, refugees from war-torn Ukraine, as they embark on a transformative adventure.
Approximately 18 months ago, amid the early months of the large-scale invasion in Ukraine, the Mountain Seed team discovered a captivating documentary called “Torn.” The team quickly felt that Max’s experience and unique take on storytelling would align perfectly with our mission and the spirit of our Healing Base Camp approach.
Their vision was for Max Lowe to join them at Camp in the summer of 2022, sharing his story of hope and providing a sneak peek of “Torn.” The aim was to illustrate that each person embarks on their own journey towards healing; that there is no one “right” route to the top of a mountain. Max, a filmmaker, had found his own path to healing through storytelling, and this led to the decision to document Milana and Olga’s journey.
Milana and Olga’s connection with Mountain Seed began during the early days of the invasion when they participated in art healing programs designed for refugees. Their lives are intricately woven into the fabric of this prolonged conflict, reflecting the enduring impact it has had on a nation and its people. Max was able to see their story through the unique perspective of a shared lens – they both have lived with a deep loss experience at a very young age.
“Milana captured my heart from the first moment I met her on a video chat, sitting next to her grandmother and calmly sharing the story of her incredibly difficult life’s journey to date at only 12 years old. In her, I saw echoes of my own experiences, having lost a parent at a young age. The gravity of what telling this story with her would mean for both of us was undeniable” said Max Lowe.
In August 2022, Max and his team, including Ukrainian Producer and Assistant Director Yuliia Pavliuk who had evacuated Ukraine, and Director of Photography Axel Stasny, an Austrian by birth with a deep passion for capturing human stories through the lens of a camera – traveled to Healing Base Camp with Milana and Olga to capture their time in the mountains.
Eighteen months later, that labor of love and dedication resulted in a documentary called “Camp Courage,” which will reach audiences worldwide on the Netflix platform on October 15th! Camp Courage will not only touch hearts and minds through trauma and laughter, but we hope it will spread awareness of the deep scars of war and demonstrate the unwavering resilience of those who dare to share their stories. It is a film that celebrates discomfort – after all, it is on the edge of discomfort that we grow the most.
Mark your calendars for October 15th, regardless of where you are in the world, as “Camp Courage” promises to inspire, educate, and unite audiences worldwide. Don’t miss this profound narrative of hope and transformation.
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For Media Inquiries, please contact: outreach@mountainseedfoundation.org
