Shelter follows Nikita (Martin Dytyniuk), a 10-year-old school boy from Ukraine who recently moved to the Netherlands with his mother. While struggling to adjust to the new culture and language, Nikita plans to cycle back to Ukraine but first, he needs help from one of his classmates as he does not know how to cycle.
I really like how we can see the Nikita's (Martin Dytyniuk) transition, struggling with his new living arrangement and then finding small ways to make the best out of his situation, like building a treehouse with his new classmates.
This film is fun, engaging, and audiences could find this film quite relatable. Even though the protagonist is a Ukrainian refugee, his situation is similar to anyone who has to move and adapt to a new situation at school and in their community. Of course, his experience in a country at war has made an additional emotional impact on him. Nikita is an artistic and determined school boy and Martin Dytyniuk plays this role very well. During the course of the film we see Nikita develop from a shy and isolated kid into an outgoing and motivated character. Writers Anna Sherstiuk and Maarten Sleegers really capture a relatable experience, particularly in the scene where Nikita is crying because he misses his friends. The camera work, by Johannes Van Beeck, is extraordinary; each shot is visually engaging, polished, and nuanced. The cinematography is one of the highlights of this film because it's so professional and visually stunning. My favorite scene is when Nikita is learning how to ride a bike alongside his classmate in an open field. I love seeing Nikita having fun and goofing around with his friend. We finally get to see Nikita socializing and making friends. Another great scene is when he is planning his cycling journey. The locations fit the story very well -- my favorite location is the large field, because it gives a cozy warm vibe. The background music and sounds are very impactful; one scene that stands out is the one where Nikita is scared by the test alarms. The sounds are like war sounds and remind the audience that Nikita came from an environment where he constantly lived in fear of war. However, in later scenes, the music is completely different. For example, when Nikita finally learns how to cycle, the music is inspirational and motivating. There is a special effect in the scene where Nikita is planning out his journey, where we see multiple images of him preparing for his trip. This scene is well edited and looks realistic.
The film's message is that sometimes you need to step outside of your comfort zone to make new friends. Note that it does show kids doing risky things that kids might imitate and we see Nikita skipping school to cycle without telling an adult.
I give Shelter 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. By Tia O., KIDS FIRST!
Shelter follows Nikita (Martin Dytyniuk), a 10-year-old school boy from Ukraine who recently moved to the Netherlands with his mother. While struggling to adjust to the new culture and language, Nikita plans to cycle back to Ukraine but first, he needs help from one of his classmates as he does not know how to cycle.
I really like how we can see the Nikita's (Martin Dytyniuk) transition, struggling with his new living arrangement and then finding small ways to make the best out of his situation, like building a treehouse with his new classmates.
This film is fun, engaging, and audiences could find this film quite relatable. Even though the protagonist is a Ukrainian refugee, his situation is similar to anyone who has to move and adapt to a new situation at school and in their community. Of course, his experience in a country at war has made an additional emotional impact on him. Nikita is an artistic and determined school boy and Martin Dytyniuk plays this role very well. During the course of the film we see Nikita develop from a shy and isolated kid into an outgoing and motivated character. Writers Anna Sherstiuk and Maarten Sleegers really capture a relatable experience, particularly in the scene where Nikita is crying because he misses his friends. The camera work, by Johannes Van Beeck, is extraordinary; each shot is visually engaging, polished, and nuanced. The cinematography is one of the highlights of this film because it's so professional and visually stunning. My favorite scene is when Nikita is learning how to ride a bike alongside his classmate in an open field. I love seeing Nikita having fun and goofing around with his friend. We finally get to see Nikita socializing and making friends. Another great scene is when he is planning his cycling journey. The locations fit the story very well -- my favorite location is the large field, because it gives a cozy warm vibe. The background music and sounds are very impactful; one scene that stands out is the one where Nikita is scared by the test alarms. The sounds are like war sounds and remind the audience that Nikita came from an environment where he constantly lived in fear of war. However, in later scenes, the music is completely different. For example, when Nikita finally learns how to cycle, the music is inspirational and motivating. There is a special effect in the scene where Nikita is planning out his journey, where we see multiple images of him preparing for his trip. This scene is well edited and looks realistic.
The film's message is that sometimes you need to step outside of your comfort zone to make new friends. Note that it does show kids doing risky things that kids might imitate and we see Nikita skipping school to cycle without telling an adult.
I give Shelter 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. By Tia O., KIDS FIRST!
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