List of all films shown during the film club's existence

The list of all films that have been shown during the existence of the film club:

• “Slovo” House. Unfinished Novel

This is a dramatic story of Ukrainian writers who, by order of Stalin, were gathered under the roof of the "Slovo" cooperative building in Kharkiv in order to force them to work for the benefit of the system. All of them became participants in the experiment of forming a new type of Soviet writer and full control over the creative process. A film about how a communist paradise turns into a communist hell.

The story is based on real events.

The film received numerous awards and prizes at six world film festivals.

• Crimea. The stolen peninsula

This is a documentary story about the events of 2013-2014, which helps to understand the complex, contradictory, and often tragic circumstances that led to the temporary occupation of Crimea and were only the beginning of the Kremlin's aggressive plans. The film narrates the continuation of the struggle for the Ukrainian peninsula. A special emphasis of the film is devoted to the actions of the Ukrainian state in the spring of 2014, which prevented a full-scale invasion by the regular army of the Russian Federation from several directions at the same time, thereby saving hundreds of thousands of lives and ultimately ensuring the very existence of the state of Ukraine.

• A Compilation of Ukrainian short comedies “Smile, Ukrainian!”

The collection includes films by both young and experienced Ukrainian directors. Smileys appeared in 2013, and at that time, their main task was to introduce Ukrainian viewers to the work of contemporary domestic directors and to prove that domestic cinema can be fun, funny, interesting, and professionally shot. However, during the war, an additional purpose was added: to give Ukrainians the opportunity to forget about all the negative things happening around them, if only for an hour and a half, to gain a dose of cheerfulness, positivity, and faith that everything will be fine and that Victory will be for Ukraine.

• From Ukraine to Hollywood

This is the first large-scale study of the "Ukrainian footprint" in Hollywood. This is a little-known story about the significant contribution of Ukrainians not only to the film history of the famous "dream factory", but also about their considerable influence on the development of American art.

In the film, stories about the achievements of Ukrainians in the past are interwoven with the personal stories of those who are currently "igniting" their stars in the Hollywood sky.

• Carol of the Bells

A Ukrainian historical drama directed by Olesya Morhunets-Isayenko, based on the script by Ksenia Zastavska, was released in Ukraine on January 5, 2023. The film tells the story of the lives of three families of different nationalities: Ukrainians, Poles, and Jews, united by a common misfortune - war. After enduring the repressive system of the USSR, they face the punishing machine of the Third Reich. In the hopelessness of enslavement, a Ukrainian family takes in children whose parents became victims of the occupiers and selflessly protects them as if they were their own daughter, Yaroslava. Above all, the girl dreams of reconciling the whole world through the Ukrainian song "Schedryk," which the oppressors are trying to erase from her memory. However, the words of the holiday song lead to the light in the complete darkness of German and Soviet enslavement.

• My War

The series of television documentaries is based on the individual story of a man whose life was turned upside down by the war and who tells this story in his own words. The series showcases the extraordinary stories of ordinary people about their experiences of war, highlighting their courage, resilience, compassion, and generosity in the most difficult and dangerous circumstances, as well as their efforts to overcome challenges and help each other. It also aims to preserve the memory of their suffering and present a new perspective on the war to viewers outside of Ukraine.

Episode 1. SYDOROVYCHI - "The son was killed with a shot to the heart and the daughters were wanted to be raped."
The story of Lyudmila Komarenko - a mother of many children.

Episode 2. MARIUPOL - "Escape from Hell"
The story of Alina Chubarova, a TV presenter from Mariupol.

• Malevich. Born in Ukraine 

The film tells the story of the famous artist Kazimir Malevich and his influence on 20th-century art. The main purpose of the film is to showcase and explore Malevich's Ukrainian origins, the influence of Ukrainian culture on the formation of his personality and his work, as well as to return Malevich's name to Ukrainian culture. The viewer will have a unique opportunity to see a screenplay of a Suprematist movie written by the artist back in 1930, view little-known archival footage of the artist, see photos of his paintings enhanced with computer graphics, and hear the memories of relatives, as well as numerous art historians, gallerists, and architects from Ukraine, Poland, the Netherlands, Belarus, and France.

• TOLOKA

Screen adaptation of Shevchenko's ballad "That Kateryna has a house on the platform..." directed by Mykhailo Illyenko!

Taras Shevchenko wrote a ballad about how three Cossacks fell in love with Kateryna. Kateryna entrusted her choice to fate: she promised to become the wife of the one who frees her brother from captivity. Two of the three Cossacks died trying to fulfill the terms of the agreement; the third managed to save her brother, but Kateryna's brother turned out not to be her brother, but her lover. Kateryna will have to wait for her "brother" in the plot of the film for more than a century, without aging and without losing hope. This story, like a parable, flies through the history of Ukraine, reproducing its dramatic and heroic episodes. Every test destroys Kateryna's house. But she stubbornly, like many generations of Ukrainians, raises it from the ruins again and again.

The age of the Ukrainian house is short - from war to war. If it weren't for the toloka, there would be nowhere to meet your beloved. Thanks to the toloka, no house in Ukraine was ever "on the edge"; it was always in the center of the community.

• Culture vs War

The film screening is part of the complex project "Culture vs War," initiated by the Association "Watch Ukrainian!" to record and convey the truth about the war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine through the stories of the struggles of famous artists who joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and cultural figures engaged in active volunteer activities. "Culture vs War" consists of six documentary stories, featuring heroes such as Serhii Mykhalchuk (cinematographer), Serhii Zhadan (writer, musician), the band "Antitila," Vlada and Kostyantyn Liberov (photographers), Akhtem Seitablaev (film director, actor), and Taras Kompanichenko (kobzar).

The film tells the world about the values and significance of Ukrainian culture, which help Ukrainians to mount a dignified resistance to the aggressor, and highlights Ukrainian artists who put their creativity on hold to defend Ukraine.

• Myrnyi-21 

Akhtem Seitablayev's war drama tells the story of the Luhansk border detachment, whose fighters the separatists and the Russian special services unsuccessfully tried to force to betray their country. The film is based on real events that unfolded during the war in Ukraine in June 2014. The premiere of the film in Ukraine took place on February 22, 2023.

Three screenwriters worked on "Mirny-21." Yaroslav Yarish and Serhiy Kastornykh are experienced authors, while Anatoliy Kotsyurba worked on the script for the first time. Anatoliy is an active colonel of the State Border Service. He was invited to ensure the specifics of military service were shown as accurately and correctly as possible. The filming of the military drama "Mirny-21" took place in Kyiv and in the Military District of the city of Vasylkiv, Kyiv Region (United Air Force Training Center).

• Beyond the Peace

"On the Other Side of Peace" is a documentary film created from footage taken in the Buchan district of the Kyiv region from February 2022, at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, in areas of active hostilities. It records the consequences of the war crimes committed by the Russian army, capturing the history of Ukrainian resistance through the expressive testimonies of local residents from settlements that survived the occupation, along with insightful scenes and faces of heroes of modern Ukraine. The main goal of the film is to testify to the whole world about the war crimes that took place during the occupation in the Buchan district of the Kyiv region and to show the devastating consequences that the "Russian peace" brought to Ukrainian land.

• TERYKONY

This is the story of the children of the frontline zone of Donbas, who lost their parents and loved ones, their homes, but continue to live and love where others lose all hope. According to official statistics, about 10,000 children currently live in the war zone in Donbas. The embodiment of most of them is the main character of the film - Nastya. The girl was six years old when three rockets fired by the Russian army hit her house on New Year's Eve. She survived but lost her father, childhood, and faith in life. For people like her, war has become something familiar, like the landscape outside the window. But Nastya has dreams. Like every girl, she dreams of a new house and a dog and continues to write letters to Santa asking for her father back.

• DZHURA THE KING’S SON

Rescued and brought up by wandering warriors, the son of King Yuri the Brave unexpectedly learns on his sixteenth birthday that he is not an ordinary Jura-Ivanko. He is the heir of a glorious family, and it is his responsibility to lead the decisive battle against Evil. But liberating his native country from an influx of cruel, soulless Langomers, led by his father's insidious killer and aided by the sorcerer Crank, is a difficult and overwhelming mission. Even with St. Michael helping the prince in this matter, after all, one person, especially such a young person, is capable of deeds—sincere and desperate—that are dictated by the heart, not the mind. However, this sacrifice and the ability to save the life of his beloved are, as it seems, the magic part that allows us to overcome Evil and free this world for the rule of Good.

• IVAN SYLA

"Ivan Syla" is a Ukrainian children's feature film directed by Victor Andriyenko, based on the book "Incredible Adventures of Ivan Sila, the World's Strongest Man" by Oleksandr Gavrosh. The main character of the film is inspired by the Ukrainian circus strongman Ivan Firtsak, who was recognized as the strongest man on the planet in 1928. At the peak of his career, Firtsak stopped performing abroad and returned to his homeland.

The film depicts significant episodes from the life of young Ivan, who, with dignity, passed through serious trials, matured, and became an invincible giant of strength and spirit.

SLOGAN OF THE MOVIE: "TRUTH WILL ALWAYS WIN!"

The film "Ivan Syla," directed by Viktor Andrienko, won the Lesia Ukrainka award in the category of "Best Film for Children and Youth."

• Holodomor. Chroniclers

The documentary series "Holodomor. Chroniclers" will recount one of the most harrowing events in Ukraine's history—the famine artificially created by the communist regime of the USSR to decimate the Ukrainian people.

Historical sources divulge the details of this tragic period in our country's history. The real facts are so shocking that it is exceedingly difficult to imagine and comprehend them adequately. They expose the true nature of the communist regime, which orchestrated an artificial famine in Ukrainian territories, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 million of our compatriots.

The documentary series comprises four films:

   - "Capital of Despair"
   - "Hooray for Stalin!"
   - "Riders of the Apocalypse"
   - "Shadow"

• DOVBUSH

This adventure-historical action is based on the legends of Dovbush! Oleksa Dovbush's name became immortal precisely because the values for which he sincerely fought are timeless. Freedom, justice, loyalty to one's convictions, love for the native land—these concerns resonate as acutely today as in those ancient days. Dovbush embodies the archetype of a Ukrainian with a strong sense of self-worth, a fighter for freedom, and a true knight of the spirit. Above all, he dreams of a peaceful, familial, and productive life on his land. However, when oppression becomes unbearable, such a Ukrainian is ready to sacrifice everything and defend his dignity and that of his people with weapons in hand.

The events of the film unfold in the Carpathians at the beginning of the 18th century. The harsh rule of the Polish nobility drives the Hutsuls to seek refuge in the mountains. Two brothers, Oleksa and Ivan Dovbush, find themselves outside the law and become outlaws. Seeking revenge on the lords for the murder of their parents, the Dovbush brothers become enemies of each other—one driven by greed, the other by justice. The Hutsuls initiate a rebellion led by Oleksa. The nobility does everything in their power to eradicate Dovbush, but he outwits them, and the legend of the Carpathian knight grows. It becomes a tale that inspires generations of those who fight for the freedom of their homeland—about Oleksa Dovbush's strength and love, about betrayal and injustice, about how he lived and evaded death!

• Eastern Front

In Estonia, the film premiered as part of the PÖFF film festival last November. Its global debut occurred on the anniversary of the war at the 73rd Berlin Film Festival in Germany. Following the Berlinale premiere, the film was showcased at various international festivals and screenings in Latvia, Greece, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Croatia, China, Canada, Great Britain, Austria, Spain, Brazil, Moldova, Japan, and the USA.

"Eastern Front" was filmed from February 24, 2022, to September 2022. The film portrays ordinary people who have taken up arms to defend their country, not for the first time. Beyond depicting the war itself, the film also explores the home front, where their families reside. It portrays our values, our joys, and our stark realities. Through this film, we aim primarily to convey to Western audiences the ideals for which we fight and to emphasize our shared values with them, unlike the aggressor country.

On February 24, the film's protagonists relocated their families to western Ukraine, to the village of the parents of one of the brothers known by the call sign "Supchyk." In total, Svetlana and Valery's parents hosted 25 people.

Through intimate portrayals of the characters, the film introduces their families, children, and relationships with loved ones. Most of the individuals depicted are not military personnel but volunteers with the Hospitaliers battalion, which has been active since 2014. By immersing viewers in the direct involvement of medical evacuations for wounded soldiers and civilians, the film deeply engages them in the atmosphere of Ukrainian resistance.

• Kings of Rap 

An artistic melodramatic film, musical crime drama. The film premiered at the Odesa International Film Festival in 2021 but was only released in the summer of 2023 due to the pandemic and widespread box office challenges.

The story unfolds in a contemporary village where life appears dull and hopeless to the film's protagonists, who see escaping as their only chance for a better life.

"Kings of Rap" follows the journey of a 17-year-old boy nicknamed Kazan (played by Mykhailo Dzyuba), who, along with his friend Peanut (Anton Velboy), dreams of becoming rappers. Kazan is determined to win the heart of his girlfriend, Sveta. He's willing to take risks to pursue his dreams, but fate steers his life in unexpected directions.

The filmmakers emphasize that all the music in the film is Ukrainian, a fact they take great pride in. Ukrainian electronic musician Cepasa (Pavlo Lenchenko) served as the composer and sound producer for the film. Additionally, the film features tracks by renowned Ukrainian musicians such as Kalush, KAZKA, Crechet, Wellboy, and others.

• Silent Deportation

The documentary film explores the plight of Crimean Tatar families who faced repression under Russian occupation and were compelled to leave their native peninsula under pressure from Russian authorities.

The film's protagonists endured imprisonment, torture, persecution, and death threats. Some were coerced into joining the Russian army, while all were ultimately forced to flee Crimea. The documentary portrays what it's like to escape with a military summons, to rebuild life from scratch with four children, to fight for Ukrainian Crimea, and to survive in places like "Azovstal" and Olenivka. It showcases their roles as teachers and doctors, their displacement due to persecution, their endurance of torture and abuse, and their courage in speaking out against Russia's power structure.

Journalists interviewed these exiles in Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Belgium, Turkey, and also those who, despite pressure, chose to remain in their homes in occupied Crimea. The film includes unique footage from the private archives of its protagonists, some of which is being revealed for the first time.

Film Authors: Krym.Realii (Radio Liberty) - Dmytro Zhulai, Anzhelika Rudenko. Producer: Elvina Seitbullaeva, Cinematographer: Nikita Isaiko.

• The Hardest Hour

War Diaries from all over Ukraine. This film compiles 200 minutes of chronicles, survival, resistance, and life during war, all captured by Ukrainians on their mobile phones. Some heroes survived; others were killed. It is a unique testament to the tragic events and crimes of Russia, portrayed through the eyes of Ukrainians that the entire world should see and feel, ensuring our history remains untainted.

The film depicts events in Ukraine and documents how life changed through the lenses of Ukrainian smartphones since February 24, 2022, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. These are firsthand stories, emotions, and feelings. Each narrative in the film represents a story captured by our heroes on their devices. This project isn't merely another war film; it's about people, their final acts, and their voices.

Movie Details:

Director: Alan Badoev

Producers: Alan Badoev and TV channel 1+1 Ukraine

• Black Raven

The film is based on the novel "Abandoned. Black Raven" by Shevchenko Prize laureate Vasyl Shklyar, delving into one of Ukraine's most dramatic and lesser-known historical chapters: the fierce resistance of Ukrainian rebels against occupying communist authorities in the 1920s, during the Kholodny Yar era.

The story revolves around Ivan, nicknamed "Raven", who becomes embroiled in the insurgent movement of the Kholodny Yar Republic. Driven by the enduring Ukrainian thirst for freedom, Ivan sacrifices personal peace and family comfort to fight for the independence of his homeland, the future of Ukrainians, and his own family.

In 1922, former UNR army officer Ivan and his pregnant wife Tina seek refuge on his father's farm near Kamianka. Their hope for a new beginning shatters as they witness the arrival of a fresh GPU regiment led by Yevdokimov, tasked with quelling the unrest in Kholodny Yar. Ivan realizes escaping war in the heart of the Republic is futile. When Yevdokimov arrests his rebel-affiliated father, Ivan faces a choice: endure shame and violence to protect his family or join the rebels himself...

The film premiered in wide Ukrainian distribution on December 5, 2019.

• Mavka: Forest Song

"Mavka: Forest Song" is a 3D animated fantasy film from Animagrad studio (FILM.UA), achieving significant international success in 2023 with screenings in 148 countries and the voice of "Mavka" in 32 languages. At least 30 nationals joined the "Universe of Mavka" creation in Ukraine.

Based on Lesya Ukrainka's drama "Forest Song" and Slavic-Ukrainian folk mythology, the film portrays the interaction and clash between two worlds: the magical and the human. At its core, the film explores the love story between forest Mavka and peasant Lukash, and their battle against the villain Kylina, who seeks to control a magical forest spring.

Genre: Fantasy, Love Story, Comedy

Based on: "Forest Song" by Lesia Ukrainka

Nimed marmortahvlil (Names in marble)

It is a war drama directed by Elmo Nüganen, based on the novel Names in Marble written in 1936 by Albert Kivikas, about the Estonian War of Independence of 1918–1920. The film broke the record of the box office in Estonia.

The film tells us about schoolchildren who became volunteer soldiers and fought for their homeland's freedom.

Despite peaceful demonstrations, the army of Soviet Russia attacks Estonia, and the country's government announces mobilization for all. Henn Ahaz, the son of a poor family, does not hesitate to go to war, but he does not know whether he will follow his brother to the Red Army or join the government forces with his classmates. Ahaz is not connected with either of them, later he will be caught by the Red Army, and in captivity Ahaz will meet a young girl Marta.

This is a touching story about the development of a person, about first love, and the high price of freedom. Will the film's heroes be rewarded with love, or will they just become names carved in marble?

Seltsimees Laps (The Little Comrade)

The film, directed by Moonika Siimets, is based on the autobiographical novel by the famous Estonian writer Leelo Tungal. It tells the story of six-year-old Leelo, whose mother was sent to a Soviet camp. Haunted by her mother's last words, urging her to be a good child, Leelo vows to behave as best as she can in this confusing adult world, hoping that it will help bring her mother back. 

The little girl must find answers to many questions herself: Why is the blue-black-white flag forbidden? Who are the traitors? Why is the terrible NKVD detective rummaging through their house? And is it an honor or a shame to be a pioneer of the Soviet Union?