Traces is a moving testament to women’s solidarity. It is the story of Ukrainian women who, after experiencing sexual violence and torture during the Russian invasion, decided to break their silence. At the helm of this extraordinary community is Iryna Dovhan, head of SEMA Ukraine, who herself survived captivity and violence at the hands of Russian combatants and now helps other survivors document the crimes and fight for justice. The film’s protagonists - women from various regions of Ukraine, from the Donbas to Kherson and the Kyiv Oblast - show that even the most brutal form of violence cannot overcome solidarity and humanity. With extraordinary sensitivity, the filmmakers guide the viewer through a story of trauma, but also through a story of community-building. This is a film that does not sensationalize suffering - it gives a voice to people who were forced to remain silent for years.
