ukrainian culture
24 movies and shows
“Slovo” House. Unfinished Novel
Thu, 09 May 2024
Kharkiv, the 1930s. The heyday of Ukrainian art. Ambitious young poet Vladimir Akimov happily settles in at the new luxury "Slovo" House built specifically for artists. He comes from the provinces and works as a proof-reader in a printing press, and has never even dreamed of living under one roof with prominent Ukrainian writers and artists. He thinks his own poetry is genius, but nobody takes his literary efforts seriously, not to mention the occasional chuckles over his epigone poems. But fate smiles at him. The head of the political intelligence agency suggests that he become the author of a play written earlier. Akimov agrees, signing a non- disclosure note. The poet has no idea what price he will pay for this success. “‘Slovo’ House” is a story about a generation of Ukrainian artists persecuted by the totalitarian system, unfolding against the backdrop of one of the largest genocides of the 20th century: the Holodomor, which caused the death of almost 7 million people.
A Story of the Forest: Mavka
Wed, 23 Jul 1980
Mavka, a water nymph, loves Lukash, a country youth. Their brief happiness ends when Lukash is forced to marry the shrewish Kilina. The Spirit of the Forest turns Lukash into a wolf as punishment for his infidelity. The strength of Mavka's love breaks the spell, but Kilina curses the nymph, transforming her into a weeping willow. This beautiful and tragic story is based on a play written in 1912 by Lesya Ukrainka, a Ukrainian poet, writer and political, civil and female activist, and includes mythological characters taken from Ukrainian folklore.
Grandmother Told Grandmother
Sun, 07 Oct 2018
The little-known story of Ukrainian children torn from their homes in the crush between the Nazi and Soviet fronts in World War II. Spending their childhood as refugees in Europe, these inspiring individuals later immigrated to the United States, creating new homes and communities through their grit, faith and deep belief in the importance of preserving culture.
Ivan and Marta
Thu, 02 Nov 2023
Ivan Dziuba - literary critic, public figure, academician of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine - belongs to the "sixties". He fully takes care of all the miscalculations and unfulfilled promises of his generation. Reflects on why the illusions were lost and why so few dreams came true ... Let's see and listen to him with his wife Martha, a Lviv woman who was his guardian angel. Together - all life. Exactly as they are, the right is the definition - the conscience of the nation.
Slovo House
Thu, 09 Nov 2017
Chain-smoking artists, poets and playwrights were among the colourful array of intellectuals living in the ‘Slovo House’ in 1920s Ukraine. The communist paradise was built under Stalin's approval, but it quickly became a prison. The brutal Soviet regime spied on the inhabitants, destroying their eccentric way of life and sealing their fate. This fascinating film explores the extraordinary story of the building and its residents.
The Golden Gates
Mon, 01 Mar 1971
The film-remembrance of the creative fate of the Ukrainian Soviet film director Alexander Dovzhenko, shot on his diaries. It has his statements about his work, about the role of the artist in society, his plans and sources of inspiration, his artistic style and the peculiarities of his worldview. Used excerpts from his films and documentary footage taken during the director's life, as well as filmed fragments of the unfinished scripts " The Death of the Gods” and “Tsar”.
Mustache Funk
Thu, 24 Jun 2021
The early 70s is a golden epoch of our popular music. Hundreds of songs of exquisite beauty. Groundbreaking sound. Futuristic suits. How and whence could all of this emerge in a Soviet socialist republic? How did a brand new music scene, original in sound and philosophy in every way, and at the same time absolutely in sync with global music trends come forth? They weren't that fond of the Soviet label «VIA». And since neither of us is fond of this acronym, let us rechristen this music.
Who are we? Psychoanalysis of Ukrainians
Fri, 10 Dec 2021
A film about the collective psychological traumas of Ukrainians.
Malevich
Thu, 28 Feb 2019
A story about the life and work of the twentieth century artist Kazimir Malevich and his influence on world culture.
Chubai. Speaking Again
Thu, 19 Jan 2023
A theatrical documentary about Hrytsko Chubai, a genius of Ukrainian poetry, a connoisseur of literature, art and music and the brightest representative of Lviv underground culture of late 60s early 70s.
Hrytsko’s Easter Eggs
Sun, 01 Jan 1995
In anticipation of the great Christian holiday of Easter, one of the boys wanted to get ready for it by making painted eggs himself, as required by a long-standing tradition. But he took eggs from a hen that was hatching her children. Falling asleep, Hrytsko saw a strange dream. Based on a fairy tale by Oleksandr Oles.
V. Silvestrov
Thu, 29 Sep 2022
There is a rumor in the Kyiv musical community: once upon a time, in private conversation, Queen Elizabeth II mentioned Valentyn Silvestrov as one of her favorite composers of the modern age. The Royal Press Office hasn’t confirmed it, so no one knows for sure. But the stature of Silvestrov justifies this rumor. Highly respected by the world’s best music professionals, he remains a mystery for a wide audience. The documentary is far from a traditional biopic about a prominent person. It is an observation, a confession and, most of all, a story of great talent set against the backdrop of uncertain times.
A Cage for Two
Sat, 06 Jul 2019
Documentary offers a look at the historical development, establishment and artistic transformations of the Ukrainian Circus as a cultural phenomenon of the 20 century.
The Ivasyuk phenomenon
Tue, 30 May 2023
‘The Ivasyuk Phenomenon is a documentary video essay that has been created over the past three months. In the video, we will introduce you to Volodymyr Ivasyuk, a young, creative and stylish musician, as well as his songs, which changed the rules of the game in the music scene and still sound great today. And although everyone has heard his ‘Chervona Ruta’, unfortunately, few people are familiar with the rest of his work. About 100 songs and 50 instrumental pieces. We hope that after this hour-long acquaintance, you will add a few new tracks to your playlist and have another example in your heart that Ukrainians are damn cool.
Lida
Fri, 27 Mar 2020
"LIDA" takes place on the day of Lida's 70th birthday. This already special day is made more unusual by the recent arrival of her grandson, Lev, who had immigrated to the United States with his family in 2001. Returning to Ukraine for the first time as an adult, Lev documents his grandmother as she tends to the small homestead and prepares for the birthday celebration in the rural village in Ukraine. By capturing moments of arduous labor, as well as through personal conversation, Lev inquires into his grandmothers relationship to her home, land - and their family.
Vertep
Thu, 06 Jan 2022
A touching and almost festive story about how to remain optimistic and continue to do your job, despite all the hardships of the times. One of the film's main characters is a chaplain, a current priest of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Dmytro Povorotnyi. He invites musicians with guitars to travel to military locations in Donbas. The entire musical tour led by the chaplain takes place in one day. The chaplain and the musicians are accompanied by a film crew from Suspilne Culture. The film, which was supposed to tell about a New Year's Eve volunteer trip to the military in the grey zone, became a story about mercy, understanding of need and help as a state.
Спадок нації
Fri, 17 May 2019
The first documentary about vyshyvankas (Ukrainian embroidered shirts). Everyone has their own vyshyvanka. But there is one most valuable for everyone.
Ancestral Code
Fri, 06 Nov 2020
The documentary film ANCESTRAL CODE is a research into the origins of the Ukrainian and Belarusian peoples, the search for their identity through the study of the melodism of Slavic ethnographic heritage. Nowadays many people talk about brotherhood, spiritual intimacy, affinity. The authors analyze the connection between the neighboring peoples of Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus and Poland through music and folklore.
Back to Basics.Wedding
Wed, 14 Oct 2020
Full-length documentary about wedding customs and rites from different parts of Ukraine. This film will immerse the viewer in the world of rich, striking and diverse wedding culture of 8 regions of the country: Kyiv, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpattia, Kharkiv, Rivne and Chernivtsi.
Ten notes that changed Ukraine
Tue, 14 Jul 2020
The work of the outstanding composer, who passed away on 1 June this year, is known not only in Ukraine but also far beyond its borders, his music is recognisable, and his works are often performed on the Ukrainian stage. However, Myroslav Skoryk's personality, creative temperament, tastes, and life guidelines have largely remained behind the scenes of the concert stage