Ivetta Urozhaeva

At the beginning of my second semester at the University of Television and Film Munich, when I had finally gained some stability, passed the first difficult exams and gotten to know a few people, I started preparing to shoot my first film. It was going to be about “indifference”. I wanted to tell a good story with a moral message.

And then suddenly, my father died without warning. I used all the money I had saved up to fly back to Siberia and pay for the funeral. No longer would I have the financial support I used to receive from father. But of course, in that moment that was the least of my worries, for the most painful thing was to lose the dearest person in my life who had always supported me and been there for me.

However, I had to quickly return to Munich and attend my seminars at the university because they had mandatory attendance at that time. If I didn’t go, I certainly wouldn’t have been able to pass my upcoming examinations. At the same time, I had to start looking for a job to take control of and somehow improve my financial situation.

In the back of my mind all the while was the big project of the year – my film. There was still a lot to organise. I was strongly focused on it ... but everything was so close, yet so far away. For several months I needed some financial aid to get me through this dire situation I had fallen into due to the costs of the funeral. Each day brought me closer to realising that all of my problems could eventually force me to drop out of university.

This is when the director of the International Office at my university stepped in. She told me about the Emergency Fund of the DAAD-Stiftung and helped me gather the necessary documents to apply. That was a good chance for me to get help. The support from the DAAD-Stiftung gave me hope at a very difficult time and blew some wind into my sails so that I could keep pursuing my dream.

Thus, I was able to make my first film, titled “Bumerang” (Boomerang). Its central theme is “indifference”. I really wanted to make a film that showed how dangerous it is to go through life indifferent to oneself and to others. The challenge of making the world a better place rests in our hands, you just have to start small. I hope that my film does a good job presenting this topic and its significance.

Privat

Despite all difficulties Ivetta Urozhaeva always endeavoures to approach life smiling

Thanks to the Emergency Fund, I was able to find the confidence to make my film (which will premiere in Munich in February 2018), pass my required examinations with good marks, and simply reaffirm my belief that there are still people in this world who are not indifferent to the sadness and distress of others.

To this day, I still ache for the loss of my father, but I’ve somehow found the strength pull myself together and keep going. I didn’t have to quit my studies – it was because of this great degree programme that I moved to Germany in the first place and was so keen to learn German. I firmly believe that my father would be proud of me that I succeeded in fulfilling my dream. That’s why I am deeply grateful to the DAAD-Stiftung for helping me in this difficult time. And also for giving me strength to believe in myself again and not abandon my dreams.

Thank you!