When the war in Ukraine escalated, Doctors Without Borders (Læger Uden Grænser – MSF) transformed a train into being an ambulance and ER to transport and treat critically injured patients. Maria, a Danish nurse, was one of the MSF medical professionals working onboard being in charge of the train wagon remodelled to serve as an emergency room. Through her eyes, we tell the story of MSF’s work in Ukraine, bringing both medical aid and testimony to the world as part of our work for Doctors Without Borders.
Witnessing the human cost of war
Maria’s role was to provide intensive care to patients during their long journey across Ukraine. A train ride which could be up to about 20 hours to cross Ukraine from the front in the east to safer hospitals in the west of Ukraine. Many were civilians—women, children, and the elderly—some of them injured by missile attacks and explosions.
Maria described a teenage boy who was injured while in his home with his family: “His entire family was outside enjoying the weather, but he wanted to stay inside to play on his computer. Then there is a missile strike that hits the house and him. He is hit on his spinal chord and he is paralyzed from the waist down. How does it affect to me? I feel angry that it harms innocent people.” Stories like these illustrate the indiscriminate impact of war and highlight the necessity of MSF’s work.
A documentary with a mission
Initially, our plan was to travel to Ukraine to film Maria’s journey ourselves. However, the night before departure, we had to cancel due to the security situation. Attacks had just gone from bad to worse so the film photographer (DOP) and I had to stay home.
Instead, we relied on a backup plan: empowering Maria to film her own experience using her mobile phone. It wasn’t my preferred solution but it had the positive effect of her talking directly to her phone and filming in a way that served the concept of eye-witnessing, which is embedded in the revitalized purpose of Doctors Without Borders. The approach not only ensured the project to continue but also added an different level of authenticity.
After Maria returned to Denmark, I conducted an in-depth interview with her. And afterwards we edited together the story using her footage, press photos, and recordings from other MSF photographers, piecing the film into a narrative that serves both Marias story and the overall message of Doctors Without Borders.
Finally, we designed 3D maps of Ukraine, to give both an overview and to heighten the visual experience. We implemented the new visual identity graphically, so that the red circle symbolizing both the human beating heart and the record-symbol as a sign of bearing witness. And we created a visual concept for the ending to all the films visualizing how one staff member telling their story is just one of many from across the world.
The result was a deeply personal and raw documentary that perfectly aligns with MSF’s renewed purpose—emphasizing that its staff members bear witness to different types of global crises.Maria’s testimony is a powerful reminder of why Doctors Without Borders exists. By sharing her story, we aim to create awareness and support for their essential work.
