Katsiaryna Andreyeva attended the screening of a film based on her and her husband's love story
A special screening of Mara Tamkovich's film "Under the Grey Sky" took place in Warsaw, during which a meeting with journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva was also held. The story of the former political prisoner and her husband Ihar Ilyash became the inspiration for the film, recalls Belsat .
Katsiaryna Andreyeva and film director Mara Tamkovich. Photo: Belsat
The screening took place at the Elektronik cinema. In the hall were Katsiaryna's friends — other political prisoners with whom she was behind bars, journalist Darya Chultsova, who filmed the same live stream from the Square of Changes. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and other representatives of her team, actors, and members of the film crew were also present.
Andreyeva said that the emotions shown in the scene with the live stream matched 80% of what she actually experienced. But she added that her first meeting with her husband in detention was more positive than shown in the film.
"Everything was very joyful, and my attitude towards this experience was more joyful, more cheerful and optimistic. Simply because I am that kind of person. At these short meetings, even despite the guards, we sang songs."
Katsiaryna Andreyeva with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the film screening. Photo: "Belsat"
From the stage, the journalist also shared which moments of the film were emotionally difficult for her. And she said that she did not immediately agree to come to the screening.
"At first it seemed to me that I would not be able and would not manage [to come]. That I would cry a lot, that I would not be able to control my emotions - and why show this in public. And maybe I was ashamed of my possible reaction," she honestly answered a question from the audience and recalled some frames.
"It was very painful to look at the apartment after the search. And when there were shots of Ihar's arrest, I just turned away because I couldn't look. It really hurts me very much."
At the event, there was much talk about journalist **Ihar Ilyash**, for whom Andreyeva is now fighting, after her release.
"I will truly be free only when Ihar is released. It is very important for me to take advantage of this opportunity right now, as another release of political prisoners is being prepared," said Katsiaryna.
On stage, the recently released journalist held a photograph of her husband, which she later handed over to the leader of the democratic forces, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, with a request to remind her of the release of him and other imprisoned journalists at international meetings.
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