Photophobia
6.3
On a cold February morning, 12-year-old Niki and his family arrive at the Kharkiv metro station to take shelter from the terrifying war raging outside. For Niki's family, daylight is synonymous with mortal danger, and the boy is not allowed to leave the station premises, living under the constant glow of their neon lights. While aimlessly wandering around the abandoned cars and full platforms, Niki meets Vika (11), and a new world opens up to him. As their bond strengthens, the children find the courage once again to feel the sun on their faces.
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Cast
7 people
Ivan Ostrochovský Director · Pavol Pekarčík Director Marek Leščák Screenplay
First release September 1, 2023 · Produced in Czechia, Slovakia, Ukraine · Languages Russian, Ukrainian
Production
Punkchart films
Production
Cinémotif Films
Production
Arthouse Traffic
Production
RTVS
Production
Česká televize
Production
Partizanfilm
Production
Czechia · Slovakia · Ukraine
Produced in
Languages
Original title
Svetloplachosť
Original language
Slovak
Spoken on screen
Russian · Ukrainian
Release dates
Italy · September 1, 2023
Premiere · Venice Film Festival
Slovakia · October 26, 2023
Theatrical · Filmtopia
No release date listed for United States.
Bulgaria
October 9, 2025 · Premiere · OKO International Ethnographic Film Festival: Bulgarian Edition
Croatia
April 15, 2024 · Premiere · ZagrebDox
Czechia
October 27, 2023 · Premiere · Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival
November 23, 2023 · Theatrical
Poland
June 26, 2024 · Premiere · Lubuskie Lato Filmowe
South Korea
August 22, 2024 · Premiere · EBS International Documentary Festival
Sweden
January 26, 2024 · Premiere · Göteborg Film Festival
Ukraine
September 7, 2025 · Premiere · OKO International Ethnographic Film Festival: Ukrainian Edition
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Some details come from TheTVDB.