17 July, 2024
This year, DokuFest is proud to join forces with Docudays to present Focus Ukraine, a captivating showcase that highlights the resilience and creativity of Ukrainian documentary cinema and photography. Supported by the IZOLYATSIA foundation, Trans Europe Halles, Malý Berlín, and co-financed by the ZMINA: Rebuilding program, this partnership marks the festival's largest country-focused program to date, offering a profound glimpse into Ukrainian culture amidst adversity.
Focus Ukraine will feature a diverse array of recent Ukrainian films, both feature-length and short documentaries, curated by project partners Docudays UA. These films collectively paint a vivid picture of the personal and societal themes central to Ukrainian life today.
For this particular focus The Program Director of Docudays, Yuliia Kovalenko stated “This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Russian-Ukrainian war. During this time, since 2014, documentary cinema in Ukraine has become an effective agent of social change, a safe space for rethinking the past and present and building a common vision of the future. Even with the beginning of the full-scale phase of the war, Ukrainian documentary filmmakers use the power of the film language in order not only to record the tragic reality, but also to raise important, albeit difficult, questions of (co)existence in our modern world.
I sincerely thank our colleagues from DokuFest for holding this great focus program, because I believe that it is also able to strengthen the cultural bridge between our countries and unite in understanding the need to build a new global security architecture for a better future.”
One film delves into the legacy of Soviet totalitarianism and Russification, as a woman from Mariupol explores how these forces shaped her family’s dynamics over four generations. Another documentary offers a gripping examination of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, using visual material and personal testimonies to uncover the truth behind this tragic event and its broader implications for the war in Donbass.
In a heartwarming yet challenging narrative, a vibrant cheerleading team of women in their fifties faces the harsh realities of war, torn between staying in bombed Kharkiv and fleeing to safety. Meanwhile, a film based on intercepted phone calls from Russian soldiers reveals the stark cruelty of war, juxtaposing their voices with images of Ukraine's day-to-day resilience and resistance.
A poignant story follows a woman who paused her travel business to transport the bodies of fallen soldiers, symbolizing a modern-day Charon guiding souls through the river Styx. Another short film captures the spiritual bond between a granddaughter and her grandmother, focusing on traditional gardening during wartime.
Through these films, audiences will experience a range of emotions and insights—from the personal turmoil of living through conflict, to the broader societal changes brought by war. Each narrative is a testament to the strength and spirit of the Ukrainian people.
Reflecting on the significance of this year’s collaborative efforts, Veton Nurkollari, the Artistic Director of DokuFest, expressed: “We are pleased to be partnering with DocuDays festival in hosting Focus Ukraine at DokuFest. More than three years after the unprovoked aggression of Russia and more than 10 years after the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, we are witnessing an unprecedented resilience of the heroic people of Ukraine, a small part of which will be on display at DokuFest through the selection of some of the best documentary films coming from the war torn country, as well as through the work of Ukrainian photographers covering the war. We are both honored and delighted to be able to share these works and the truth about the war with our audiences soon, while at the same time hosting the Ukrainian delegation at the festival.”
Accompanying the films, a Ukrainian photography exhibition curated by Docudays will offer festival-goers a visual journey into Ukraine's heart. This exhibition will feature works by photojournalists and filmmakers who are documenting the war or actively participating in the defense efforts, providing powerful visual narratives that complement the film screenings.
Sasha Nabieva, Curator of the DOCU/SYNTHESIS, Interdisciplinary Art Program from Docudays UA declared: “I am very grateful to the DokuFest team and their curatorial optics, which included the still image in the conversation about the new order. The emergence of documentary photography is integrally linked to the history of wars, and it begins a complex discussion about the relationship between media and reality. However, photography remains essential in the context of documentation and evidence. Before the advent of the moving image, photography highlighted the gray areas of social inequality and injustice. Ukrainian photographers have witnessed, reflected, and reminded us of the various facets of this disaster, the Russian-Ukrainian war, for ten years.”
The partnership between DokuFest and Docudays unites their shared commitment to fostering a society of free individuals by promoting human rights, civic engagement, and social change through the power of documentary film. One of the important components of this collaborations will be included to DokuTalks, which is a vibrant platform for film professionals, activists, and scholars to share experiences, knowledge, and insights. Co-curated by producer and Head of DokuLab Eroll Bilibani and Kosovar-Swiss filmmaker Dea Gjinovci, DokuTalks fosters enriching interactions in the tranquil setting of the Shani Efendi House, adjoining Cinema Lumbardhi. This year, two out of seven DokuTalks sessions will spotlight Ukrainian artists and address the challenges of filming war crimes, drawing lessons from the Balkan conflicts, as well as exploring how film festivals like Docudays can support filmmakers during crises, offering a platform for support and sharing valuable experiences and strategies.
The official opening of Focus Ukraine will take place on August 6 at the Shani Efendi House, adjacent to Cinema Lumbardhi, featuring a preview of the DokuPhoto Exhibition. This high-level event will include Ukrainian filmmakers, artists, and representatives from Docudays UA, as well as Ukrainian journalists hosted in Kosovo.
The film "Intercepted" will officially kick off the film program at 22:00 at DokuKino Plato followed by a Q&A session with filmmaker Oksana Karpovych, offering a deeper understanding of the film’s creation and themes.
Focus Ukraine is more than an artistic exchange; it's a crucial part of the rebuilding efforts for both Kosovo and Ukraine. By sharing stories of recovery and resilience, this initiative fosters greater cultural understanding and empathy. It highlights how art can bridge gaps, bring people together, and play a significant role in the process of rebuilding societies after conflict.
Discover the full film program of Focus Ukraine here. (we will incorporate the link to the film program)
The Focus Ukraine project is implemented by DokuFest Kosovo and Docudays UA with the support of IZOLYATSIA foundation, Trans Europe Halles and Malý Berlín and co-financed by the ZMINA: Rebuilding program, created with the support of the European Union under a dedicated call for proposals to support Ukrainian displaced people and the Ukrainian Cultural and Creative Sectors.
See the full list of the films with their descriptions in this link.
