London’s Ukrainian Film Festival highlights cinematic heritage and brave contemporary innovators
“As the people of Ukraine continue to fight for their freedom and defend democratic values, Russian propaganda continues to be given a place on international cultural platforms,” says historian Olesya Khromeychuk, the Director of the Ukrainian Institute London.
“That’s why it’s more important than ever to explore Ukrainian culture.”
It’s with this imperative in mind that the Institute has crafted the programme for Reflections, which brings together landmarks of the country’s cinematic history and trailblazing names from Ukraine's contemporary film scene - many of whom will be in London to speak with audiences at Q&A sessions. Central to the celebration of Ukrainian film will be mark ing the 130th anniversary of the birth of Oleksandr Dovzhenko - considered by many to have been among the world's greatest film directors - by screening his 1930 po etic masterpiece Earth , accompanied by a contemporary score crafted by acclaimed Ukrainian band DakhaBrakha.
Other highlights include Volodymyr Sydko’s documentary Mission200 (2024), which follows a Ukrainian woman as she puts her business on hold to transport the bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers; Maryna Er Gorbach’s drama Klondike (2022), portraying the catastrophe of the downing of Malaysian flight MH17 over the Donetsk region; and thought-provoking documentary Intercepted (2024), which sees director Oksana Karpovych juxtapose images of destruction and rebuilding in Ukraine with audio from intercepted phone calls by Russian soldiers.
Looking to the future of Ukrainian film, a selection of shorts from the Kyiv International Short Film Festival showcases the works of young filmmakers, reflecting on the experiences of the over six million Ukrainian refugees.
“Our film festival not only highlights the best of Ukrainian cinema, it also offers insight into how Ukrainians are processing the trauma of war,” Khromeychuk tells Euronews Culture. “We encourage everyone to watch these films - they provide a deep er understanding of a nation whose resilience is admired around the world.”
The 2024 Ukrainian Film Festival Runs at Curzon Soho from 19-22 September 2024. Find out more and buy tickets here.