Ukrainian Film Festival: Reflections
September 19 – September 22
The theme of this year’s festival is Reflections. This theme speaks about a search
for oneself in challenging times, self-reflection and self-determination, the
recognition of our past, and the acceptance of a present composed of countless
fragments.
This year, we dive into the majestic past of Ukrainian cinema and celebrate the
130th anniversary of Oleksandr Dovzhenko by watching his masterpiece Earth,
accompanied by a contemporary score created by the acclaimed Ukrainian band
DakhaBrakha. We acknowledge our painful losses and honour the heroism and
resilience of the Ukrainian people as we follow the story of the main character in
Volodymyr Sydko’s film Mission 200. In Oksana Karpovych’s conceptual
documentary Intercepted, we confront the enemy as it attempts to occupy
Ukraine.
A selection of short films from the KISFF festival showcases the works of young
authors who contemplate the fate of millions of Ukrainians forced to temporarily
leave their homes. Maryna Er Gorbach’s powerful drama Klondike bravely portrays
the catastrophe of the downing of Malaysian flight MH17 over the Donetsk region,
depicting the lives of those who found themselves at the epicentre of this tragedy.
The films in this year’s Ukrainian Film Festival present vivid portraits of Ukrainians
— tired, angry, bereaved, but always resilient and determined to keep fighting for
their freedom.
The 2024 Ukrainian Film Festival is curated by the Ukrainian Institute London’s
Programme Curator, Olga Sydorushkina, and is supported by Curzon, Jaguar
Building Services, SAY Property, Principle Clean, Bidvest Noonan, and Rapport.
The programme is supported by Film HUB London, managed by Film London. It
is proud to be a partner of the BFI Film Audience Network, funded by The
National Lottery.
