Discoveries from Ukraine World Cinema

A story about the work of the outstanding Odessa painter Vadim Kucher-Kutsan, whose genius has been recognized throughout the world. A young man named Nikita, a student at the Kostandi Art School in Odessa, is given a special assignment: to write a thesis on the work of the famous artist Vadim Kucher-Kutsan. The young man talks to the artist's first teacher, actors from the Masks Show theater, art critics, fans, and collectors of his works, as well as Vadim's wife, who is preparing for another exhibition of her late husband's works. Inspired by the painter's vivid paintings, Mykyta must gather enough information to complete and defend his thesis.

The film shows eight success stories of Ukrainians who recently left their homeland and achieved success overseas. The heroes of the film went from comfortable conditions to harsh pressure, but proved that there is a way to the top. And it is governed by one fundamental principle of civil society.

To pay for his son's education abroad, Victor sells weapons to two warring factions in eastern Ukraine. But, as we know, there's always a price to pay.

Before leaving, the last customer at the restaurant asks the waitress to keep her strange notebook until morning. The only thing she asks is not to open it.

Ukrainians prepare for the Russian invasion.

The story of a young man who learns at an early age that he is illegitimate. But this does not stop him from taking reckless steps with his beloved girlfriend—and like a gray bird, he flies away from his native village.

Day. From a bird's eye view, the camera slowly descends into the park of the Odesa Film Studio. Bare black tree trunks all around. Brown leaves underfoot. An ancient Italian fountain with a sad Narcissus. Late autumn. Deserted and quiet.

A story of several days and a heroic defense of the strategic height of 307.5 with the supporter Valera, who played one of the most prominent roles in the Debaltz campaign. The protagonists of the film are the direct combatants, Sergeant Borys Lysy and Commander Alexander Zozuliak.

New Year's Eve. Devastated by life, the absolutely apathetic owl tries to make money by selling "presents" for children in Santa Claus' costume. But his life was not always so - he was a great boxer before failing and losing money, career, and family... Today, Owl has a chance to fix some things and start a real "New Year" in his life.

The film is dedicated to the unique Dacha Center in Kyiv, which cares for children with cancer and their families. The film's protagonists are children, parents, and their guardian angels: employees of the Zaporuka Foundation, psychologists, and doctors.

After the war ends, 25-year-old Stepan arrives in Kyiv to conquer the city and its club scene. But memories of occupation and captivity haunt him every night, making it impossible to escape his past.

In the quiet interior of his studio, a Ukrainian painter draws portraits of Kyiv that delineate the recent tumultuous political history of his country, even if he denies it.

An elderly married couple, who had been caring for their elderly aunt, never took their own honeymoon. Only after their aunt's death were they able to rectify this by taking a trip during the velvet season.

According to the plot of Kharms' miniature, a spicy and intimate conversation takes place between a man and a woman, which is interrupted by an unexpected guest—a man in a black coat and two soldiers—as the forces of law and order intervene in the characters' amorous antics. In the film version of "Obstacles," children witness this story and decide to reenact it in their own way, turning it into a game and thus neutralizing its tragic subtext.

A day in the life of Carpathian shepherds who live in the mountains. Part of YouTube “Life in a day“ challenge.

A musical adventure comedy follows Baron Munchausen, a legendary hero with a unique worldview, as he embarks on magical and fantastical adventures in Ukraine. Directed by Oleksiy Kolomiytsev, the musical features transformations, chases, and magic. Munchausen aids the Ukrainian Cossacks in rescuing a girl named Galya from Turkish captivity. The production is vibrant with choreographic numbers, arias, duets, and choruses, set against colourful costumes and lighting effects. The musical arrangement blends various genres, including rock, rap, techno, disco, and folk.

Max inherited a house from his late grandfather and moved there to live away from the war in a quiet town, but this house became a curse for him because he did not know what horror it hid.

Death follows us everywhere. But that doesn't mean we should be afraid to live. Life is short and beautiful, and since we will all die sooner or later, we need to enjoy it to the fullest.

A small stray dog suddenly bursts into the lives of two elderly villagers, complicating the already difficult relationship between the neighbors...

Anton and Diana, a couple on the verge of divorce, decide to save their relationship with the help of the innovative KOHAI program. It combines artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and a romantic weekend with perfect humanoid robots.

A video essay about being in a liminal space in a state of limerence.

A film about Ukrainian poet, literary scholar, translator of the Executed Renaissance era Mykhailo Dray-Khmara and his exile (based on his daughter's account).

A film about a tour guide at the Parkhomivka Museum.

An immersion in the silent struggle of a man between the chaos of war outside and the storm inside, where every heartbeat echoes with loss, fear, and hope for returning home.

January 1, 2022. The city of Kharkiv. After the New Year's Eve party, Vova goes on duty to the hospital by Kharkiv tram, which becomes not only an unexpected adventure for him, but also an opportunity to become a guardian angel for someone.

Inna Levitan, citizen of Israel who left her quite life, two children and joined the communistic brigade in the Ukrainian Civil war.

Kyiv, Ukraine, Spring 2015. The war with Russia is five hundred miles to the East, but since the revolution of 2013-14, every moment of Kristina's life has been affected by the conflict.

Documentary about the Jews who lived or lived in the territory of the former Soviet Union - the fate of a people who, despite the political-historical roots with the country in which they have been at home for centuries, have always tried to preserve their way of life and spiritual identity.

Two sisters meet in a city café. One of them, carefree and cheerful, takes the other on a motorcycle ride to the forest. The girls climb a gloomy sandy slag heap. They spend the night by a campfire near a body of water that resembles a fragment of the underworld. Their conversations seem strange: about shrimp farming, death, and a mysterious switch that can determine whether what they’re experiencing is a dream or reality.

The film explores the inner psychological world of a person, where within the cycle of life and death, each individual searches for their spirit, explores the body, and expresses the soul through it.

Referring to the Miles Brothers' 1906 titles "A Trip Down Market Street" and "A Trip Down Market Street After the Fire," set in San Francisco before and after a major earthquake, a virtual camera reimagines Market Street of the fictional San Fierro in the classic GTA: San Andreas (2004), imagining a life where disaster is impossible — until a missile attack arrives.

In the middle of the steppes of Kherson region lies a railway station called Kalinindorf. In 1927 the "all-Union elder" Mikhail Kalinin came here to establish the Jewish national district. To honor this event the inhabitants of Velyka Seidemynukha renamed their village to Kalinindorf. Today Kalinindorf has a neutral name Kalynivske. Only ruins of the ancient synagogue remind us of Jewish collective farms. As well as the director of the local museum, who keeps preserving the history of these lands.

This film tells the story of the Russian attempts to erase the culture of Ukraine – the story of ballerinas and dancers who must make a choice: to leave the country, to stay and dance, or to pick up arms and fight.

Three high school friends witness an accidental murder during a school dance. The situation is complicated by the fact that the incident may directly affect the boys' personal plans. Therefore, they decide to cover their tracks, not thinking about the catastrophic consequences, both direct and psychological.

The third school year begins in Ukraine under the shadow of a full-scale war. Natalia, a teacher in a seemingly peaceful Ukrainian city, is about to welcome a new class. She creates an island of safety and joy for her fifth-graders, which helps her to abstract from worries about her own son, who serves on the front line.

Three dramatic stories with a hopeful ending, about being and becoming a mother during the war. Giving birth is one of the most responsible and important processes for every woman, who starts planning it right after receiving a positive pregnancy test: choosing a doctor, maternity hospital, buying the smallest size baby rompers with precious patchwork and literally organizing a "nest" at home for the new family member.

The film is dedicated to civilians during wartime. They have no weapons, no protection, only their lives.

A man distracts himself from his dull job by gaming between video calls. An unexpected visitor outside his window changes the course of his day.

In the northern part of Kharkiv city, 22 kilometers from the Ukrainian-Russian border, lies the verdant campus of Piatyhatky. Since 2022, this region housing nuclear facilities has been subjected to consistent Russian bombardment. Amidst this ongoing threat of nuclear catastrophe, how do the residents endure? How do they perceive their future? What prospects do scientists have in such an environment? How does warfare impact the natural world? What activities do children engage in? And what source of strength allows individuals to persevere?

Stalkers challenge the boundedness of the Chornobyl exclusion zone. Threads of the great outdoors untouched by human activity, radiation measurements, and gendered rites of passage merge into a meditation of exposed bodies and places extending into one another.

The war, which destroyed the illusion of the superiority of art, provoked the actor to a total reassessment of values and made him think about the true meaning of life. What are art and culture and what is their true role if they do not influence the mentality of those who brought evil and death to our country? What will the fame, rewards and success be like when you get off the pedestal?

The Kyiv period of the work of the outstanding director Serhiy Paradzhanov is a tragic page of his life. Full of creative ideas, but accused of ignoring the laws of realism, he was fired. This happened when the film "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors" was recognized as the "pearl" of modern cinema.

Oleg, who is seriously ill, has no one in his life except his friend Zheka. A friend whose life is chaotic and worthless, but even he has the opportunity to do something good.

Road movie on the road. Sashko Protyah and Diana Berg are going to explore the Kherson region, trying to find a new understanding travels, creativity, experience.

One day, Ostap Huliai is unjustly accused of the murder of his lady friend. To prove his innocence, he must turn from the usual nerd into the inventive spy and uncover the secret lair of separatists.

The one day from ordinary school life in Kyiv. Anastasia attends actors courses, and is learning the part and preparing to perform on stage. She isn't worried about the threat of war, but about getting on stage.

Oleksii's daughter is only 10 months old when Kharkiv is attacked by the Russian invasion forces. Oleksii is determined to give his daughter a happy childhood despite the war, but how do you are in constant fear of your daughter being killed by a Russian missile.

Ukrainian avant-garde of the 90s. Ideology and art. Works and reflections of artists. Tiberii Silvashi, Oleg Tistol, and Oleksandr Solovyov discuss the artistic collectives “Picturesque Reserve” and “Paris Commune” at an exhibition at the Ukrainian House.

There is a sacred place called Sanctuarium. It is not physically fixed. You can discover it within yourself. But if it's difficult to find it, you might visit such the place in Tallinn's Old Town where you can also meet its Founder.

The story of Afanasii Dermenzhy, a Ukrainian architect who has created thousands of architectural structures in the southern region of Ukraine. It was he who built the Antonovsky Bridge. Afanasii and his wife Mariia, like many other townspeople, remained in their homes in Oleshky after the seizure of Crimea by Russia and parts of eastern Ukraine. However, after the explosion of the Kakhovka dam, without having time to evacuate, they found themselves in a water trap - on the one hand, the Russians, on the other, the river, washing away roads and filling houses with water.

Short horror film.

God's eye stills taken by Maxym Dondyuk of Ukrainian countryside and urban landscapes after the 2022 Russian invasion.

On February 24,2022 Russia attacked Ukraine. This is one of the millions of stories of Ukrainians who fled their homes. The path of heroes from the snowy peaks to the destroyed cities, wrapped in fear and love for each other to find a safe place.

A 16-year-old Ema goes on a ballet audition and plans a pitch-perfect first time sex, but needs to overcome her insecurities first.

It is about me, about you, about what is rooted in us, about what is not easy to get rid of. It is about what eats us from the inside and slows down our flowering. About what I would like to never have and love myself.

The film is about the constraints faced by two women who are unable to release their repressed essence. Overcoming the uneasiness of communicating with a reserved and self-controlled woman, the main heroine is eager to share the intimate experience with her, ultimately coming to terms with one’s identity.

High school students Vitaly and Lena met by chance in the slums of the Odesa suburbs. Imitating their parents, the heroes suddenly realized that even unkind attitudes of their relatives could not prevent them from loving each other.