Screening of “U Are the Universe” for the Day of Ukrainian Unity

For the Day of Ukrainian Unity, the Ukrainian Film Club in Estonia / Ukraina kinoklubi Eestis held a screening of Pavlo Ostrikov’s science-fiction film “U Are the Universe”!

The film filled the hall at Kino Sõprus, which is no surprise at all, as this tragicomic story about loneliness, hope and love has won the hearts of audiences and critics around the world!

“U Are the Universe” already ranks 5th among the highest-grossing films in the history of Ukrainian cinema.

A film you want to talk about after the credits. Laughter, silence, tears and a strange feeling of hope – all in one film. “U Are the Universe” feels like a metaphor for Ukraine at war: about isolation, loss and life after catastrophe – and at the same time about resilience, humour and the ability to love even when it seems the world has been destroyed.

Opening the screening, the hosts Denis Priimagi and Inna Hordiienko congratulated the film’s lead actor Volodymyr Kravchuk on the honorary title of Honoured Artist of Ukraine, recently awarded to him by decree of the President of Ukraine.

“At the start of the full-scale war Volodymyr Kravchuk took up the defence of Ukraine, and he now continues to serve as a war correspondent for Army TV, combining military service with work in theatre and film. The film’s director Pavlo Ostrikov is also serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine! We are proud of our outstanding directors, actors and all artists who, both at home and at the front, carry the Ukrainian word and do not allow the occupier to erase our identity and our right to be Ukrainians,” said the Association’s PR director Inna Hordiienko.

Everyone in the hall was greeted on the Day of Ukrainian Unity by the chairman of the Association and adviser to the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Estonia – Volodymyr Palamar!

In his words, more than a hundred years ago, when Ukrainians first said a very simple but brave thing – “Ukraine is one” – it was not about ceremony or celebration; it was about a choice – to be together. About the courage to believe that Ukrainians cannot be torn apart.

“Today Russia is doing everything to prove the opposite. With war. With occupation. With destruction. By driving millions of people from their homes.

It is trying to erase the very idea of a united Ukraine.

But look around.

We have gathered here from different cities and regions of Ukraine, with different stories and different experiences, but we are all here – together!

Because today Ukraine is united not only by its borders. It is united by its people.

Those who are in Ukraine right now – without electricity, without heating, under shelling.

And those who are here, in this hall, who were forced to leave but have not stopped being part of the country,” he stressed!

The chairman of the Association called on the guests to support one another, to stand together and to remember those who died defending the unity and independence of Ukraine!

All victims of Russian aggression were honoured with a minute of silence…

At the end of the event the hosts announced the next screening at the end of February – the film “The Tired”, dedicated to the 3rd anniversary of the Ukrainian Film Club in Estonia and the 4th anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine.

In Tallinn “The Tired” will be presented in person by its producer Pylyp Illienko, whom the audience will be able to talk to and ask questions.

A fundraiser for an electricity generator for the organisation Good Peoplewas also announced at the screening!

Thank you to everyone who attended the screening! We are delighted that every year there are more and more fans of Ukrainian cinema and supporters of our film club in Estonia!

Together we create a space for shared emotions, reflection and mutual support far from home. Such meetings underline once again that together we are strong and will not let distance, borders or missiles tear us apart!

Thank you to Ukrainian song and dance group "Volya" and its chief choreographer Anastasiia Kozachok for a wonderful performance, to the organisers of the screening, the production and creative team of “U Are the Universe”, to Kolo Books, which promotes reading Ukrainian books, to the hosts of the screening and to our regular photographer Oleksandr Storozhuk for the wonderful photos!

See you in February at the screening of “The Tired” – the date and time will be announced later!

The screening was supported by:
Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Estonia
Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Estonia
Ukrainian Youth Association in Estonia
Good Bread From Good People International
Business Woman magazine

Link to the photos – find yourself in the pictures and share them on social media!