2024 Ukrainian Film Festival: ‘Reflections’ on Cinema and Resilience

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– The 2024 Ukrainian Film Festival in London from 19-22 September 2024. – Theme: ‘Reflections’ focusing on self-reflection amidst conflict. – Features historical and contemporary films, including a tribute to Oleksandr Dovzhenko. – Emphasises the importance of exploring Ukrainian culture against Russian propaganda. – Highlights works that reflect on war trauma and resilience.

The 2024 Ukrainian Film Festival, themed ‘Reflections’, will be held in Soho, London, from 19-22 September 2024, showcasing the depth of Ukrainian cinema. Organised by the Ukrainian Institute London, the festival highlights themes of self-reflection and self-determination amidst ongoing conflict. Historian Olesya Khromeychuk emphasised the necessity of exploring Ukrainian culture against the backdrop of Russian propaganda. The festival celebrates influential cinematic works, including a 130th anniversary tribute to acclaimed director Oleksandr Dovzhenko with a screening of his 1930 film, Earth, enhanced by a new score from DakhaBrakha. Other notable screenings include the documentary Mission 200, which centres on a woman transporting fallen soldiers’ bodies, Klondike, which chronicles the MH17 disaster, and Intercepted, which contrasts war destruction with intercepted Russian military communications. A selection of shorts from the Kyiv International Short Film Festival will also showcase the perspectives of young filmmakers reflecting on the experiences of over six million Ukrainian refugees.

The Ukrainian Film Festival serves as an important cultural platform aiming to highlight the resilience and creativity of Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict. With an emphasis on both historical and contemporary cinematic contributions, the festival aims to foster a deeper understanding of Ukrainian national identity and cultural heritage. The focus on self-determination is especially poignant given the current geopolitical situation faced by Ukraine.

The 2024 Ukrainian Film Festival in London presents a vital opportunity to engage with Ukrainian cinema and its narratives of resilience and trauma. Through a blend of historical masterpieces and contemporary works, the festival aims to deepen the audience’s understanding of Ukraine’s cultural landscape, while providing a platform for meaningful dialogue regarding the ongoing war and its impacts.

Original Source: www.euronews.com