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Ukrainian Film Days
16-19.11.2023 Kinopalatsi, Kaisaniemenkatu 2, Helsinki
Welcome to the VII Ukrainian Film Days, traditionally held every autumn in Helsinki. This year, we present four films produced in Ukraine during Russia’s full-scale invasion: “Dovbush”, “Mavka”, “Myrnyi-21” and “20 Days in Mariupol”. The program is multi-genre, as it is designed to present the diversity of Ukrainian film production and includes historical features, a family animation, and a documentary. All films are united by one idea: we are on our land – from the Carpathians to Mariupol, and we will defend our right to freedom.
To defend the freedom of the state, many artists have joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including filmmakers. The screening of “Myrnyi-21” is dedicated to one of its stars, Pavlo Lee. The 33-year-old actor died on 6 March 2022 in Irpin. Additionally, actor Maksym Devizorov, director Akhtem Seitablaev and “Dovbush” cameraman Serhiy Mykhalchuk are all serving in the Armed Forces. We cherish the memory of our defenders.
This year we will host the following guests – Oles Sanin, director of “Dovbush”, and Vasilisa Stepanenko, field producer of “20 Days in Mariupol”.
The Ukrainian Film Days are held as part of the first Ukraine Season of Culture in Finland. Our goal is to present the culture of Ukraine, while touching upon the current situation in the country and supporting Ukrainian artists who lost the opportunity to work productively due to Russia’s invasion.
Dovbush (Ukraine, 2022)
16.11
17:30-19:45 – short presentation, screening
20:00-21:00 – Q&A session with director Oles Sanin
Runtime: 120 mins
Genre: historical action adventure
Language: Ukrainian, with English subtitles
Director: Oles Sanin
Cinematographer: Serhiy Mikhalchuk
Cast: Serhiy Strelnikov, Oleksii Hnatkovskiy, Daria Plakhtiy, Rostyslav Derzhypilkii, Mateusz Kosciukiewicz, Jerzy Schejbal, Agata Buzek
Trailer: https://youtu.be/Qk_tXe3zYgo?feature=shared
Carpathians. Beginning of the 18th century. The brutal rule of the Polish nobility forces Hutsuls to flee to the mountains. Two brothers, Oleksa and Ivan Dovbush, find themselves to be outlaws and become opryshoks. In search of revenge on the lords for the murder of Dovbush’s parents, the brothers become enemies of each other. One yearns for money, the other for justice. Hutsuls start a rebellion led by Oleksa. The nobility does everything possible to destroy Dovbush. But he outwits them. So the legend of the Carpathian knight spread. A legend that inspires generations of those who fight for freedom of their native land. About the strength and love of Oleksa Dovbush, about betrayal and wrongdoing. About how he lived and how he cheated death.
The film is presented and followed by the Q&A with Oles Sanin, film director and screenwriter (“Mamai”, “The Guide”): “Every nation has its national hero. We have Dovbush. First of all, this is a story about freedom. This is a story about people who chose their own path, even at the cost of their lives to gain this freedom and defend it to the last”.
Myrnyi-21 (Ukraine, 2023)
17.11, 18:00
Runtime: 120 mins
Genre: war action drama
Language: Ukrainian, russian with English subtitles
Director: Akhtem Seitablaev
Cinematographer: Yurii Korol
Cast: Pavlo Lee, Maksym Devizorov, Viktor Zhdanov, Andrii Saminin, Maria Shtofa, Larysa Rusnak
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT2F_z7GgcE&t=5s
The story of trust and the lack thereof set against the background of events unfolding in eastern Ukraine in early 2014. The main topic is revealed through the prism of the Luhansk border base, whose fighters the separatists and Russian special services unsuccessfully tried to force into betraying their country.
“Myrnyi-21” is a tribute to those Ukrainian cinematographers who stood up for the defense of our country. One of the roles in the film was played by Pavlo Lee, the 33-year-old actor who died on 6 March 2022 in Irpin. Actor Maksym Devizorov and film director Akhtem Seitablaev are currently serving in the Armed Forces. We cherish the memory of our defenders.
Mavka. The Forest Song (Ukraine, 2023)
18.11, 13:00
Runtime: 99 mins
Genre: animation, family
Language: Ukrainian
Directors: Oleh Malamuzh, Oleksandra Ruban
Cast: Nataliya Denysenko, Artem Pyvovarov, Oleh Mykhailiuta, Serhii Prytula, Nataliya Sumska, Yulia Sanina, Nina Matvienko
Trailer: https://youtu.be/izQA8C3emt4?si=bS8V61coVnDJ0PAZ
The project is based on the drama ‘The Forest Song’ written by Lesia Ukrainka (1871-1913), one of the founders of modernist and feminist literature in Ukraine. Since time immemorial, the vast Ukrainian forests have harbored countless secrets and unfathomable mysteries. They are home to wondrous mythical creatures dwelling among ancient trees, faithfully guarding their sacred realm. Mavka is a Soul of the Forest and its newly chosen Guardian. Her primary mission is to protect the Forest and its sacrosanct Heart — the Source of Life itself — against any aggression or intrusion, including on the part of humans.
Lucas is an unassuming village boy, who has a great love of music and pours his talent into playing his wooden flute and dreaming of devoting his life to this passion of his. He meets Mavka and falls in love with her. Unfortunately, avaricious Kylina stands in their way. Her true purpose is to get a hold of the Heart of the Forest. Will Mavka be able to save the forest? Will Lucas’s music be able to make miracles and save the love? Will the two worlds be able to unite against evil?
Today, this animated film is the highest-grossing Ukrainian film project and is among the 20 highest-grossing films in the history of film distribution in Ukraine.
20 Days in Mariupol (Ukraine, 2023)
19.11
18:00-19:40 – short presentation, screening
19:50-20:50 – Q&A session with field producer Vasilisa Stepanenko
Runtime: 94 minutes
Genre: documentary
Languages: English and Ukrainian and Russian, with English subtitles
Director: Mstyslav Chernov
Trailer – https://youtu.be/9H_Fg_5x4ME?si=4eFm-NOEn6tgzfnX
An Associated Press team of Ukrainian journalists trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol struggle to continue their work documenting atrocities of the Russian invasion. As the only international reporters who remain in the city, they capture what later become defining images of the war: dying children, mass graves, the bombing of a maternity hospital, and more.
The film offers a vivid, harrowing account of civilians caught in the siege, as well as a window into what it’s like to report from a conflict zone, and the impact of such journalism around the globe.
Awards and nominations:
The film is presented and followed by the Q&A with Vasilisa Stepanenko, field producer: “I remember the eyes of the parents who were losing their children and voices of Mariupol residents, who asked to show this to the world. I hope that every person will see the film to find out the truth about what happened in Mariupol”.
Vasilisa Stepanenko is a video journalist from Kharkiv, Ukraine, whose work focuses on issues of human rights and social justice, especially related to the war in her country. Stepanenko has worked with Mstyslav Chernov and Evgeniy Maloletka since before the start of the full-scale russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when she realized that it would be crucial to provide accurate information from eastern Ukraine. Starting in Kharkiv – the hometown of both her and Chernov – the team realized that Mariupol would be the first key to the war. They arrived hours before the first rockets landed and were the only journalists working for an international news organization to stay in the city for more than two weeks, leaving just ahead of the Russian takeover of the city center. Since then, Stepanenko has reported from Lviv and Kharkiv as well. She has dedicated her work in Mariupol to the people there who lost their lives, families and homes in the war.