The Lost Year: A Survival Story of the Ukrainian Famine

On May 31, Mila prepares for the local May Day celebration. She marches, sings, and waves with the Young Pioneers. Afterward, she tells Katya she’s visiting a friend before she comes to her May Day party and heads to Anna’s to see Nadiya. When she arrives, Olga informs her that the police took Anna and Nadiya away, but she doesn’t know where they are. She guesses someone reported them for hiding Nadiya. Mila can’t help but wonder if Katya discovered the truth and turned her in. However, Katya doesn’t seem to know anything about Nadiya or Anna when Mila arrives at her party. Mila decides Papa must be to blame.

Back home, Mila confronts Papa about Anna and Nadiya. Papa acts confused, but Mila thinks he’s lying. He assures her that everything he’s done has been to protect her because he loves her. Mila still can’t understand why he wouldn’t help his family and lied about having brothers.

Hours later, Mila, Dasha, and Papa have dinner. Papa tries talking to Mila again, but Mila ignores him. Afterward, she tries talking to Dasha, but Dasha won’t look at her and tells Mila to go to bed. Shortly after falling asleep, Mila is awoken by knocks on the door.