Cambridge Ukrainian Studies and the Ukrainian Institute London invite you to escape the woes of the second lockdown and immerse yourself in experiences beyond your borders - from a mystical thriller about life in the Chornobyl Zone, to a powerful documentary that follows a young footballer who fights for her dreams against all the odds.
From 17 November - 1 December, four gripping contemporary Ukrainian films (with English subtitles) will be available to watch for free for UK audiences. We’ll also be holding online Q&As with the films’ directors, with live audience participation. So bring your questions on culture, film and Ukraine!
The generous financial support of Cambridge Ukrainian Studies allows you to watch the films free of charge, but the Ukrainian Institute London would be very grateful for voluntary donations, which will help them develop their programmes in the future. Donate here.
The films will be available to watch on the festival web platform from 17 November. Please note that we are only licensed to screen the films to audiences in UK. We regret that followers who are based outside of the UK will be unable to watch the films via the festival platform. However, we hope that you will join the Q&As with directors which will be open to all.
Q&As with Directors:
- The Forgotten. Q&A with director Daria Onyshchenko. 19 November, 18:30 (GMT)
- The Gateway. Q&A with director Volodymyr Tykhyy. 26 November, 18:00 (GMT)
- Home Games. Q&A with director Alisa Kovalenko. 30 November, 18:30 (GMT)
- Train: Kyiv-War. Q&A with director Korniy Hrytsiuk 1 December 18:00 (GMT)
About the films:
- The Forgotten
In occupied Donbas, 30-year-old teacher Nina witnesses student Andrii get arrested for raising the Ukrainian flag, prompting her to risk her life to free him. As they gravitate towards each other, they try to remind others and themselves they deserve a future, too.
Director: Daria Onyshchenko |Genre: Drama |Year: 2019 |Duration: 105 min |Language: Ukrainian & Russian with English subtitles
- The Gateway
Inside the Chornobyl exclusion zone, Baba Prisia, the family matriarch, consorts with water nymphs, eats a diet filled with hallucinogenic mushrooms and claims to have personally stabbed 12 SS soldiers to death during World War II. She lives together with her chronically ill daughter Slava and grandson Vovchyk. Unexpectedly, their measured life comes to an end – Baba Prisia receives a mystical warning about an impending catastrophe.
Director: Volodymyr Tykhyy |Genre: Mystical thriller |Year: 2017 |Duration: 107 min |Language: Ukrainian with English subtitles
- Home Games
Alina has almost made it from rags to riches – from growing up on the streets to becoming a 20-year-old football star. But a series of personal tragedies force her to cut short her dreams and take on the role of carer to her two younger siblings. The documentary offers a hard look at the reality of battling poverty, at the strengths of women and at the prospect of new beginnings.
Director: Alisa Kovalenko |Genre: Documentary |Year: 2018 |Duration: 86 min |Language: Ukrainian & Russian with English subtitles
- Train: Kyiv-War
Dramatic real footage follows the stories of passengers on the Kyiv-Kostiantynivka line – a twelve-hour journey from Ukraine’s peaceful capital to a small city in the east, right on the frontline of the war with Russia. People from various backgrounds with different political views all travel side by side. They talk, debate, even quarrel. But they all move in the same direction, and at least agree on one thing: the wish for peace.
Director: Korniy Hrytsiuk |Genre: Documentary |Year: 2020 |Duration: 72 min |Language: Ukrainian & Russian with English subtitles
You don't have to be a Cambridge University staff member or student to attend. We hope that you can join one of these fantastic events.
