About THE Film
The Voice of Despair delivers a powerful affecting narrative told from a new perspective – that of an unborn child. Conceived because of a brutal sexual assault, the film brings the audience within the womb of his mother.
As the war rages on outside, The Voice of Despair through this haunting inner monologue, explores the silent traumas of the Ukrainian war, the violation of innocence, and the unspoken resilience. It sheds light on the personal cost of conflict through a voice not meant to be heard.
about the author
Nina Goldvin is a multifaceted creative soul of Ukrainian origin, known for her contributions to the fields of film art and personal development.
Originally, from Ukraine, Nina demonstrated a love for the arts from an early age: she graduated from an art school and always dreamed of sharing her vision of the world through creativity.
Even as a child, she would tell her mother about her desire to make films and share her perception of life with others.
Nina feels a deep connection with nature, drawing inspiration and wisdom from it, and she practices meditation as a path to inner growth.
As an actress and executive producer, Nina collaborated with director Matthew Brown on the film “Freud’s Last Session,” starring Anthony Hopkins and Matthew Goode.
Film and meditation occupy a special place in her life.
Recently, Nina produced, directed, and starred in her first short film, “The Voice of Despair,” a 14-minute project where she played the lead role.
“The story of the short film is tragic. Unfortunately, it is not an inspiring one. However, I realized how important it is to show what a woman can go through during wartime – and how unacceptable this reality is. The story touched me deeply, and during meditation, I found myself crying from the pain it evoked. That’s when I made the decision to transform this pain into the art of cinema.”
Currently, she is working on the development of her debut feature-length motion picture.
The Voice of Despair
Presented by
108 Production
Synchronicity Media Production
MIJ FILM
Written and Directed by
Nina Goldvin
CAST
Nina Goldvin
Shakira Ehsani
Sormelina Irantalab
Kiasha Irantalab
Masha Mehebali
CREW
Executive Producer
Nina Goldvin
Co-Executive Producer
Yves Chevalier
Line Producer
Golriz Ehtiati
Consultant
Bahman Gobadi
Editor
Sara Ahani
Sound Design
Bahman Arbalan
SFX Supervisor
Ahmad Sanegheh
Composer
Reza Davarzani
Director of Photography
Frank Cieslik
2nd Camera Unit / Boom Operator
Sam Tofanger
Sound Record
Shayan Shaygan
Make-Up
Shideh Nikoukhessel
Title Design
Mohammad Atash Panjeh
Color Grading
Babak Parhizkari
Film Publicist
Michel Burstein
A multidisciplinary team dedicated to combat sexual exploitation.
As the founder of Innocence in Danger, an international organisation committed to fighting sexual exploitation in all its forms, I have chosen to support this short film. Despite — or perhaps precisely because of — its complex and painful subject matter, this film stands as an essential tool in our mission to confront sexual violence. By refusing to dilute the harsh reality of wartime rape and its lasting consequences, the film breaks through the silence that too often surrounds these crimes, revealing what society prefers to overlook.
This narrative gives voice to survivors — to their psychological trauma and to the impossible choices violence forces upon them. It fosters empathy, understanding, and the urgency needed to inspire action. Rather than exploiting pain, the film honours the experiences of victims, exposing rape as a weapon of war that must be condemned and prevented. Art that compels us to face uncomfortable truths is vital to our advocacy: it transforms statistics into human stories, channels public outrage into meaningful policy change, and reminds us that behind every act of violence is a person whose dignity and future have been stolen.
By supporting this film, I reaffirm my commitment to ensuring that these voices are heard — and to ensuring that these crimes are never normalized or forgotten.
Homayra Sellier – Founder