Uplifting docu tackles trauma of war and its impact on kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
some
Images of war, discussion of losing family members and children to war, mention of the millions displaced by the war in Ukraine. Milana lost part of her leg as a toddler in an explosion, where she was found in the rubble and her mother was killed. She's taken by her grandmother to visit her mother's grave. Her prosthetic leg causes her some pain.
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The camp and its foundation, some shoe and clothing brands.
Positive Messages
a lot
Try to keep moving forward, despite trauma or terrible circumstances. Helping others can help oneself. Overcoming physical fears can help people overcome emotional ones. We have the power to choose what mood we're in. The faith of a mustard seed can move mountains.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Every person in this film demonstrates courage, resilience, and perseverance through the trauma of war. Milana has had to face losing her mother and part of her leg in an explosion. After losing her daughter, Olga has been entirely dedicated to raising her granddaughter. Iraqi war veterans work at the camp. Milana pushes her grandmother away at times, but then also admits how much she can rely on her. Olga is consoled that tweens push those they feel safest with in their own growth.
Diverse Representations
some
The film is set in Ukraine and Austria. The subjects are international and speak various languages.
Parents need to know that Camp Courage is a short documentary about a little girl and her grandmother who have survived war in Ukraine and are traveling to a weeklong camp in the Alps of Austria. There they will both be challenged to overcome physical fears and limitations in their own healing journeys. The girl lost part of her leg as a toddler in an explosion and her mother was killed. Their story and more images of the toll of war are shown in archive news footage. There's also discussion of losing family members and children to war, mention of the millions displaced by the war in Ukraine, and mention of the healing process for combat veterans as well. The camp is run by at least one Iraqi war veteran. Characters say they hope and pray for peace and that all children around the world be given the chance for carefree, happy childhoods. They demonstrate courage, resilience, and perseverance. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Good way to show kids how war can affect them and those abroad and how people seek recovery afterward.
Really great perspective on the aftermath of war and how it affects children without being in the setting of war during the film. Highlights some of the effects of the emotional trauma from the perspective of the main character and her grandmother, who now cares for her. Is hopeful and shows children are still able to experience some joy even though they've experienced hardship. Was good for our son to see some of the real effects of war. There are some brief archival footage of explosions and a news report at the beginning about a building being bombed and collapsing leading into the story of the main character who lost her mother.
I watched this with my 13 and 11 year old daughters. We all found it moving, and it deepened our understanding of what it is like for people caught up in war. But the tone was hopeful, there were no graphic images of violence, and we felt uplifted rather than depressed at the end.
What's the Story?
As a toddler, CAMP COURAGE star Milana lost a part of one leg in an explosion in the Russia-Ukraine war in 2015. She also lost her mother, so her grandmother Olga has been caring for her ever since. Eight years later, the two are joining a group of other families affected by the war in Ukraine invited to a weeklong camp in Austria, where they will be given opportunities to push their own boundaries in ways that will help them heal and grow.
This short film packs a big punch. Focused on the story of a little girl and her grandmother, Camp Courage is filmed with affection and aplomb. It weaves together personal photos and videos with news clips and more recent footage to convey messages about war and its impact on humans of all ages. One emotional sequence involves a camp organizer who is an Iraq war vet. He breaks down connecting his own participation in a war that "took childhoods away" to his healing through helping kids today impacted by the war in Ukraine. "We're all broken," he says. But that's not what this film shows. This film shows love, connection, and healing. You can't manufacture emotions and moments like these, and it seems to be a message the world is in need of -- now more than ever.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war that impacted the main characters of Camp Courage. What is happening today versus in 2015, when Milana was injured? Where can you find more information?
Milana and her grandmother Olga get testy with each other at moments. Olga consults a woman who appears to be a counselor about it. What advice does she get? How does Milana later apologize to her grandmother?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
