The Children of Leningradsky (1/3)

Nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Documentary, Short Subject, this 35-minute documentary, takes an unblinking look at the reality of homeless children living in Russia today - in particular the ones who call the underground Leningradsky train station in Moscow home. Utilizing verité footage of over a dozen children who speak candidly about their lives, routines and lost dreams, the film captures the sobering reality of post-Soviet Russia, as kids are left behind, get booted out of their homes, turn into prostitutes, are abused, and run away. Though it has been making efforts to overcome this dire situation, the Russian system has yet to completely control it, as many young children (ages 8-16) continue to be swept into the abyss. When this film was made, authorities estimated that some 30000 children were living on the streets and railway stations of Moscow. The Children of Leningradsky concentrates on a dozen or so children living in the Moscow train station Leningradsky. Panhandling from strangers and sleeping among the rush of commuters, their wants are minimal. "We need some heat, food, a little money and nothing more," says one, forgetting that his daily diet also includes an unhealthy dose of vodka, cigarettes and glue sniffing. "When it is worst, we try to make money for food by prostitution," admits another. Police brutality is a daily reality for the children of Leningradsky. The film captures one incident where the police patrol beats one of the street ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Coa69Ndae_U&hl=en