RAZOM CINEMA GRANT REPORT: OKSANA KARPOVYCH’S “INTERCEPTED” – NEW DIRECTORS NEW FILMS 2024

Published: August 29, 2024

Having traveled around the world, collecting international awards along the way, Razom Cinema grantee “Intercepted” has come home for its theatrical release this August. A hearty congratulations to the Oksana and the whole film team with this accomplishment! With this in mind, let’s take it back to the beginning.

For the past 53 years, the Film at Lincoln Center and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) have brought together a program of films and filmmakers who speak to the present and anticipate the future of cinema – those who push the envelope in unexpected, striking ways. This is done under the auspices of the New Directors New Films (N/D) festival. In recent years, Ukrainian films started to populate the N/D line up and it’s no surprise to see groundbreaking films like “Stop Zemlia”, “Pamfir”, and now “Intercepted” take their well deserved spots as alumni of the festival.

For the North American premiere, Razom Cinema supported the “Intercepted” film team to bring director Oksana Karpovych, producer Olha Beshkmelnytsina, and composer Olesia Onykiienko to the premiere screening. For a film that exposes so much and reflects on the Russian imperial behavior with its complete disregard for civilian lives, it’s important to have the filmmakers be there to guide the audiences through thoughts and questions.

Since February 2022, the Security Service of Ukraine has intercepted and recorded thousands of phone calls made between Russian soldiers on the front line in Ukraine, to their family and relatives. Those phone calls were made public to expose the true mentality of those on Ukrainian land, committing war crimes. After reviewing hours of these calls, Oksana and her team came up with what now is an award-winning documentary “Intercepted” – a photojournalistic and audibly heavy report of what has happened in Ukraine.

If you weren’t able to catch the screening, make sure to listen in to the discussion with Oksana Karpovych at New Directors New Films.

Following the successful screening in New York, the “Intercepted” team was able to engage with various media and received several positive reviews from the likes of IndieWire, Variety, Filmmaker Magazine, and others. We look forward to seeing just how far the film will go in the coming fall, so keep an eye out for it!

Razom Cinema aims to promote and celebrate the vibrancy of Ukrainian voices and assure a strong representation of Ukraine on various important stages. From grants, partnerships, and programming, we unlock possibilities such as the ones listed above – bring Ukrainian creators to important spaces to meet, partner, and do with international talent.

Thank you to our donors who made this possible, and everyone who supports Razom.

RAZOM CINEMA CELEBRATES THE THEATRICAL RELEASE OF “RULE OF TWO WALLS”

Published: August 21, 2024

Working with Razom Cinema’s Polina Buchak has been one of the most gratifying parts of the journey of making this film. The support and advocacy for our project has been nothing short of inspiring. The dream of every filmmaker is to reach as wide an audience as possible, and Razom has helped us immeasurably to connect with both Ukrainian and American audiences globally. Our film quite simply would not have been as successful had it not been for our partnership with Polina and the whole heroic team at Razom. Дуже дякую, Слава Україні!

– Director David Gutnik

Together with DCTV Firehouse, Razom Cinema celebrated the theatrical release of an award-winning documentary “Rule of Two Walls” directed by David Gutnik. Previously, Razom Cinema awarded the film team a grant to support their World Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival 2023. With this support, in part, the team was able to bring several cast (artists featured in the documentary) and crew members to assure a strong Ukrainian representation at the festival (and industry events), as well as allow the U.S. audience to hear first hand stories from the creators.

Premiere screening at the Tribeca Film Festival 2023. From left to right: Volodymyr Ivanov (DP), David Gutnik (director), Olha Beskhmelnitsyna (producer), Bob Basset (featured artist), Mikhail Zakutskyi (sound recordist), Lyana Mytsko (featured artist), Stepan Burban (featured artist), Bohdana Davydiuk (featured artist), Andrew Orkin (music composer).

Many of our Razom friends and those who have been following Ukrainian cinema joined us at the opening night event on August 16, 2024. It was a moving night with lots of insightful conversations about the power that art holds when it comes to resistance, resilience, and reclaiming the Ukrainian identity that for years has been suppressed and hidden. This documentary, with executive producer Liev Schreiber, explores the war in Ukraine through the lens of artists living and creating amid utter destruction. Blurring the lines between what is happening in front of the cameras and behind, the film probes what it means to make cinema in a time of war.

If you happen to have missed the opening night discussion, you still have a chance to catch the closing night screening on August 22nd at 7:00 PM EDT at the DCTV Firehouse. In case you are tuning in outside of NYC, here’s a short recap of the discussion!

Thank you to our donors who made this possible, and everyone who supports Razom.

From Berlinale to Cannes – Razom Cinema Grant Report: Tetiana Khodakivska “The Blue Sweater with a Yellow Hole”

Published: August 9, 2024

“THANK YOU,

You can not imagine how much impact this grant has brought for our project
“The Blue Sweater with a Yellow Hole”

– Tetiana Khodakivska’s note

With the recent news from the Sundance Institute announcing their 2024 Documentary Fund Grantees, Razom Cinema congratulates Tetiana Khodakivska and her team for being part of the selected group. This important documentary highlights stories of Ukrainian children Kira, Taisa, and Artem as they paint their memories about time in Russian ‘re-education’ camps. In honor of this news, Razom Cinema wants to highlight the achievements of the grant that was provided to the film’s team to attend the industry events at Berlinale, CPH:DOX, and Cannes Doc festivals.

The Razom Travel Grant helped present “The Blue Sweater with a Yellow Hole” documentary in development at three events:

Berlinale, Berlin International Film Festival
CPH:DOX
Marché du Film, Cannes Doc

Thanks to the grant, the team secured a sale-agent, found an Executive Producer, co-production in two European countries, received one $12,000 Grant and applied for three more grants overall for $200,000. The filmmakers also have found the fiscal sponsor for the project that brings further opportunity for funding of the film to bring it to completion.

Berlinale, Berlin International Film Festival

During Berlinale, the director participated in an advocacy event organized by Terre Des Hommes, a children’s rights organization, where she discussed the issue of children’s deportation and indoctrination in front of 500 people and presented a 3-minute video. Since the event focused on the rights of young people, it was an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the ongoing issue of children’s deportation and indoctrination. Among the meetings at the Berlinale Market, the most successful one was with a representative from CAT&Docs Sales, which led to a deal memo with this sales company.

CPH:DOX

During CPH:Forum, the documentary was selected for a pitch in front of 2,000 industry representatives. Over the following two days, the team had 15 meetings with broadcasters, impact strategists, potential co-producers, and funds such as the Swedish Film Institute, Finnish Film Foundation, Chicken & Egg Pictures, and representatives from Berlinale, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Points North Institute. During that time, they also engaged with potential advocacy event partners like Artist Moving Image and Kunsthal Charlottenborg, while sharing their story with The Guardian and The New York Times.

A meeting with Catapult Film Fund resulted in an invitation to apply for their grant, which is currently being considered.). The most successful meeting was with Impact Partners Fund, where the team was invited to submit a grant application for $150,000.

Another great meeting was with Women Make Movies (WMM), which, among other activities, represents projects as a fiscal sponsor for selected films. Although they were initially skeptical, having seen many Ukrainian projects in recent years, the meeting was very positive. They understood the project’s importance, and the film team is currently signing a contract with WMM. Other connections resulted in securing a $35,000 grant from the Elsa & Peter Soderberg Charitable Foundation, which only works through a fiscal sponsor.

One of the meetings resulted in new members joining the documentary team. Jane Mote was invited to be the team’s fundraising producer, as she was deeply moved by the story and truly wants to help spread awareness about Ukraine and the unlawful relocation of children. Jane works as a consultant for The Whickers Fund and knows many inspiring people with whom the team hopes to collaborate.

Marché du Film, Cannes Doc

Marché du Film selected the documentary for the spotlight section at the festival, organizing and curating one-on-one and group meetings for the team throughout the week. The Razom Cinema grant enabled the director and producer to both attend. Tetiana also won the Producer’s Network Badge and participated in the Producer’s Network activities, which were very beneficial for making industry connections. Additionally, she was selected to give an inspirational speech during the morning boost program.

The team met with the programmer of the Movies That Matter Festival, which specializes in impact-oriented films, the market manager of IDFA, One World International Human Rights Festival, and the head of Industry at Visions du Réel. All were impressed with the documentary and connected the team with their fund, to which the filmmakers have since applied . Additionally, the team met with Al Jazeera Documentary Channel, the programmer of the Sundance Film Festival, and the head of Industry at Ji.Hlava IDFF. In Cannes, the team had a meeting with an IMS (International Media Support) representative, resulting in a $12,000 grant.

Razom Cinema aims to promote and celebrate the vibrancy of Ukrainian voices and assure a strong representation of Ukraine at various industry events. Our travel grants unlock possibilities such as the ones listed above – bring Ukrainian creators to important spaces to meet, partner, and do with international talent.

Thank you to our donors who made this possible, and everyone who supports Razom.

Learn more about Razom efforts on the cultural diplomacy front within our Razom Culture project.

Razom Cinema and the Ukrainian Museum Host a Night of Ukrainian Queer Short Films in Partnership with Sunny Bunny

Published: August 1, 2024

Last Friday marked the first collaboration between Razom Cinema, Sunny Bunny LGBTQIA+ film festival, and the Ukrainian Museum in New York City. A diverse crowd of all ages visited the museum for a special inaugural screening of the Ukrainian Queer Shorts film program.

The event showcased six Ukrainian short films, each portraying the unique experiences of queer communities in Ukraine. From a short documentary on the non-binary experience of a Crimean-Tatar serving in the Ukrainian army to an intimate portrayal of young lesbian love in Kyiv, the program aimed to provide a snapshot of queerness in times of war. Among the featured directors were Kateryna Khramtsova, Yelyzaveta Sherstnyova, Olia Koval, Anzhelika Ustymenko, Zoya Laktionova, Anton Shebetko, and Olena Siyatovska.

The Razom Cinema Impact Producer, Polina Buchak, and the Development Coordinator at The Ukrainian Museum, Maryna Prykhodko, introduced the event, highlighting the need for the representation of Ukrainian queerness in the arts. They also emphasized the program’s connection with the ongoing Peter Hujar: Rialto exhibition at the Museum.

In addition to the screening, the audience experienced a pre-recorded moderated conversation between Bohdan Zhuk, Director of Sunny Bunny, and Nick McCarthy, Director of Programming at NYC-based NewFest. Zhuk and McCarthy discussed the artistry of the chosen films and contextualized them in Ukrainian queer past and future, sharing their experiences leading LGBTQIA+ festivals in Kyiv and NYC. Zhuk also recommended three, must-watch Ukrainian films with LGBTQIA+ themes and underscored the need for advancing Ukrainian Queer studies research. The conversation is available on our YouTube platform – we highly recommend you check it out!

Thank you to the filmmakers featured in the program, to our volunteers who made the event possible, and everyone who came to support this initiative.

We are excited to have had the opportunity to work with The Ukrainian Museum and look forward to future events together.

Photos by Polly Chesnokova.

Make sure to follow our newsletter and social media for more announcements!

Learn more about Razom efforts on the cultural diplomacy front within our Razom Culture project.

Razom at Eurovision 2024: A Recap and Look Forward

Published: June 7, 2024

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is over with Switzerland taking home the trophy this year, but Ukraine’s performance “Teresa & Maria” by alyona alyona & Jerry Heil was nothing short of remarkable!

The Eurovision Song Contest took place in Malmö, Sweden on Tuesday 7 May (First Semi-Final), Thursday 9 May (Second Semi-Final) and Saturday 11 May (Grand Final) 2024. We at Razom, were proud to be part of the action, securing media accreditation and bringing you exclusive content throughout the competition.

Ukraine’s consistent success at Eurovision speaks volumes about the country’s incredible talent. This year, securing a well-deserved 3rd place further solidifies this legacy. With millions tuning in globally, Eurovision provided a powerful platform for Ukrainian music and culture.

The Razom team was on the ground and we were actively involved. We distributed gift packages to delegations and media, collaborated with the “Moloda Dumka” Children’s Choir on a captivating cover of “Teresa & Maria” (check it out on our YouTube), and even participated in a press conference, generating international media attention on Ukraine.

During our time at the press center, our goal was capturing content and interviews to ensure Ukraine remained a key part of the Eurovision conversation. This was especially important as media focus had shifted away from Ukraine in the preceding months.

Check out Razom’s exclusive interviews with Eurovision 2024 participants on our YouTube channel and don’t forget to subscribe!

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Ilya Kaminsky with Yulia Musakovska and Olena Jennings at NYPL: In the Hour of War

Published: May 31, 2024

On May 9th, Ukrainian poetry was heard at the NYPL’s Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library. The New York Public Library (NYPL), Manhattan’s largest circulating library, was recently renovated with a generous gift from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and is a prime location for popular literary events in its 7th-floor terraced space.

Razom has been developing Ukrainian literary events with the librarians here for over a year. This was our second collaboration with them, following t last fall’s Ukrainian Cultural Festival, which featured writers Olena Stiazhkina, Andriy Kurkov, and Oksana Lutsyshyna.

At the center of this event were two books of poetry from Arrowsmith Press: Yulia Musakovska‘s first collection in English, The God of Freedom, and an anthology of Ukraine’s best poetry, In the Hour of War, co-edited by Ilya Kaminsky and Carolyn Forché. Both collections underscore the urgency of hearing poetry from a land devastated by war, affecting people, buildings, animals, and nature.

The anthology features the work of many poets and translators. Ilya Kaminsky presented his translations of Lesyk Panasiuk, Ostap Slyvynsky, Dmitry Blizniuk, and Anastasia Afanasieva, while Olena Jennings, a NY-based poet and translator, presented her translations of Kateryna Kalytko and Iryna Shuvalova. Photos of the poets were displayed on large screens in the auditorium, creating a visual presence in the room.

Unfortunately, the duration of the event was limited – we could have read and discussed poetry and the war in Ukraine for hours more! This is why Razom plans to host additional literary events and why we recommend purchasing these books.

Ilya Kaminsky spoke warmly about Razom’s work in Ukraine and shared feedback he has received during his frequent travels there. He also mentioned his work with a children’s poetry club in Odesa. One short poem by a very young Odesa-based poet was read, which was incredible.

More on the Speakers:

Yuliya Musakovska is an award-winning Ukrainian poet and translator who lives in Lviv, Ukraine. She is the author of five poetry collections, with a sixth on the way. The God of Freedom was published in Ukrainian in 2021 and has recently been published by Arrowsmith Press. Her poems have been translated into over thirty languages. She is fluent in English and Swedish and has translated poetry from these languages, including the works of Tomas Tranströmer.

Olena Jennings is a co-translator of The God of Freedom. Olena is a NY-based writer, poet, and translator who has significantly contributed to bringing Ukrainian poetry to American readers. In addition to Yuliya’s poems, she read her translations of Kateryna Kalytko and Iryna Shuvalova. Olena is the founder and curator of the Poets of Queens reading series and press.

Ilya Kaminsky was born in Odesa, Ukraine, and now lives in the United States. He is the author of two poetry collections, Dancing in Odesa and Deaf Republic, which came out in 2019 and was featured on many best poetry lists that year. He is a professor at Princeton University. Ilya co-founded Young People’s Poems Against Missiles, a program in Odesa that supports young and very young poets. As the program movingly states, Poems can allow young people to articulate themselves when they are in bomb shelters.” In 2023, he co-edited In the Hour of War with Carolyn Forché, a collection of poetry from Ukraine.

Join Razom Connect and discover the beauty of Ukrainian art, history, and voices!

Make sure to follow our newsletter and social media for more announcements!

Together, we can prove to cultural programmers that Ukrainian stories are necessary and that there is a large audience ready for them.

Celebrate Ukrainian Culture and Strength with Vyshyvanka Day!

Published: May 13, 2024

#RazomVyshyvankaDay 🇺🇦

As we gear up to celebrate Vyshyvanka Day on May 16th, let’s delve into the significance of this intricate embroidered garment and why it holds such a profound place in Ukrainian culture.

The vyshyvanka is more than just a piece of clothing; it’s a vibrant tapestry woven with history, symbolism, and regional flair. Each stitch and motif carries a deeper meaning, passed down through generations. Here’s a glimpse into the rich symbolism embedded in Ukrainian embroidery:

• Colors hold significant meaning. Red symbolizes passion, love, and prosperity; blue represents peace, sky, and water; yellow signifies the sun, harvest, and joy.

• Ukrainian embroidery can reflect a blend of ancient beliefs and Christian faith. Geometric patterns like circles and squares might represent the sun, earth, or fertility, while Christian symbols like crosses and stars can also be incorporated.

• Embroidery styles and motifs differ across Ukraine’s diverse regions. For example, the Poltava region is known for its colorful floral patterns, while the Chernihiv region features intricate geometric designs.

Why Vyshyvanka Day Matters

Celebrating Ukrainian Culture:
Vyshyvanka Day is a day when Ukrainians worldwide proudly don their embroidered attire, showcasing their solidarity and unwavering commitment to preserving their heritage. It’s a celebration that not only honors the past but also paves the way for future generations to embrace their roots.

Resisting Cultural Erasure:
The vyshyvanka stands as a symbol of resistance. As Russia seeks to undermine Ukrainian identity, this traditional garment becomes a powerful tool of defiance, reminding the world that the spirit of Ukraine cannot be extinguished.

Share your photos on social media using #RazomVyshyvankaDay and #VyshyvankaDay to raise awareness about this important cultural symbol and inspire others to participate.

On Vyshyvanka Day, let’s not only adorn ourselves with the beauty of embroidered patterns but also carry forward the legacy they represent. Let’s stand in solidarity with Ukraine, embracing its culture, history, and unwavering spirit. Together, let’s weave a tapestry of resilience, unity, and hope that transcends borders and generations.

Join the movement, wear your vyshyvanka with pride, and let the world witness the enduring strength of Ukraine.

Razom Hosts Evening with Ukrainian Conductor Oksana Lyniv

Published: May 10, 2024

On Sunday, April 14, 2024, Razom for Ukraine hosted a Q&A event with maestro Oksana Lyniv, following one of her last performances of “Turandot” at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

Maestro Lyniv made history as the first female chief conductor of an Italian opera house at Teatro Comunale di Bologna. Her debut at the Bayreuth Festival with Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman”, marked another milestone as the first female conductor in the festival’s history. With a remarkable career spanning prestigious venues worldwide, Ms. Lyniv finally graced New York with her presence in 2024, as the first Ukrainian conductor to perform at the Metropolitan Opera.

Razom Board Member, Maria Genkin, moderated the discussion that spanned topics from Ms. Lyniv’s creative process to her cultural diplomacy. The assembled guests heard about how much research goes into conducting a new composer and a new opera, prior to performing, such as investigating what musical and historical background composers like Puccini had, at the time of his work. Also discussed, the differences between the production of the Turandot staged in New York City and the previous one she conducted in Rome, Italy in March 2022. That one, directed by Ai Wei Wei, was framed by a political message that included fresh images from Ukraine’s Bucha.

Maestro Lyniv talked about the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, an ensemble that she founded, and how this group is representing Ukraine and performing Ukrainian composers at various international festivals. This work is not only a part of cultural diplomacy, but a vital component of developing the next generation of Ukrainian musicians. The topic of the controversial decision to conduct Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” at the Dresden Opera this July was also touched upon. The conversation explored how “cancel culture” works in various countries, and how Ms. Lyniv is planning to use this performance to change the narrative about this composer.

“I often hear the comparison that when Ukrainians perform works by Russian authors, they seem to be siding with the enemy. But in reality, it works differently. Russian classical works are just a common musical resource. Furthermore, these works no longer surprise anyone, and no political coloring is projected onto them. The works of Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, etc., stand alongside the works of Berlioz, Chopin, Brahms, Beethoven, Ravel, etc., and are perceived as mandatory repertoire that every professional musician should master.

Therefore, Ukrainians who achieve success, including by using “their” Russian repertoire resources, are actually moving forward and advancing in creating new performance opportunities for Ukrainian music. It’s akin to our defenders on the front lines seizing the enemy’s weapons and using them to reclaim new territories.” – explains Ms. Lyniv.

Razom is proud to announce that we will be providing grant support for a visit by four Ukrainian performers from the Youth Symphony Orchestra for a visit to Carnegie Hall’s World Orchestra Week in August. Ukrainian musicians will participate in the European Union Youth Orchestra performance on August 6th. As per maestro Lyniv, while Ukraine is not a part of the European Union, it is an important symbolic measure to have young Ukrainian musicians included in this performance.

Join Razom Connect and discover the beauty of Ukrainian art, history, and voices!

Make sure to follow our newsletter and social media for more announcements!

Together, we can prove to cultural programmers that Ukrainian stories are necessary and that there is a large audience ready for them.

Cleveland International Film Festival Guide: Through Ukrainian Eyes

Published: March 16, 2024

Film festival season is well underway, and Razom Cinema is keeping a close eye on what’s being programmed. The Sundance Film Festival brought another win for a Ukrainian story – the documentary Porcelain War directed by Slava Leontyev and Brendan Bellomo took home the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary Feature. The film is coming to the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) and will be screening together with other stories focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine as well as narrative cinema in a program called Ukrainian Cinema. CIFF 2024 will take place in Cleveland, OH from April 3-13, with CIFF streams available April 14-21.

This program also includes Razom Cinema grantee Rule of Two Walls directed by David Gutnik and produced by Olha Beskhmelnytsina! It is incredible to see Ukrainian cinema be celebrated at international film festivals and we are excited to share our Festival Guide: Through Ukrainian Eyes ClFF 2024 edition. Good news – if you are not able to catch them in Cleveland in person, you can tune in online through CIFF Streams. Here’s what we’ve got:

Rule of Two Walls

In-person: Sat April 6 | KeyBank State Theater

Online: April 14 – 21

In this harsh but elucidating doc, UkrainianAmerican filmmaker David Gunik trains his camera on the Ukrainian artists who have chosen to stay behind as Russia’s invasion rages on around them. By making their art, they hope to protect their embattled country’s own artistic culture, no matter how many bombs drop around them.

Defiant

In-person: Fri April 5 | Upper Allen Theater

Tue April 9 | Upper Allen Theater

Online: April 14 – 21

There’s more than one way to fight a war. Witness the ongoing invasion of Ukraine from inside the battle-torn country’s administration through such officials as the Minister Of Foreign Affairs, the Vice Prime Minister, and the nation’s lead negotiator, as they attempt to broker peace.

Athletes of War

In-person: Wed April 10 | Mimi Ohio Theater

Online: April 14 – 21

How does one fight for the gold when an endless war has taken away a generation of competitors and destroyed their facilities? Meet the dwindling number of Ukrainian athletes as they prepare for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, while trying to survive Russia’s violent invasion of their country.

Porcelain War

In-person: Fri April 12 | Allen Theater

As the Russia-Ukraine war rages mere miles away, Kharkiv-based husband and wife team Slava Leontyev and Anya Stasenko make tiny porcelain figurines. What does it mean to continue with their artistic passions as the world crumbles around them? Winner of the Documentary Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2024.

Forever – Forever

In-person: Fri April 12 | Mimi Ohio Theater

Online: April 14 – 21

Will you survive if nobody loves you? Get an uncompromising glimpse of troubled adolescent life in post-Communist Kyiv through Tonia, the new kid in school, as she tries to assimilate into her new world. But as a love triangle starts to form among the clique, will her past catch up with her?

In-person: Wed April 10 | Allen Theater

Online: April 14 – 21

I am Coming Home

In a war-torn land, a courageous young woman joins the Ukrainian military forces as a sapper, determined to bring peace by clearing the land where she was born. Her journey defies conventions, showcasing the power of individual bravery amidst the chaos of the war.

Our Ukrainian Sky

An unlikely group of lawyers with no previous humanitarian experience, drive used pickup trucks into an active warzone.

A Day in February

In another country, separated from her family, one phone call is all Galyna has to ensure their safety.

Blue Skies Over Donetsk

A Ukrainian father delivers stoves to frontline families without power, all while attempting to create normalcy for his children growing up in a war zone.

Claudio’s Song

A young man faces the wrath of a family of criminals that target people who are famous on the internet and extort money from them. When their scheme fails, the plan to kill him takes an unexpected turn.

Berdyans’k

Lera, a young Ukrainian refugee in Ireland, uses dark web seance software to connect with her sister who has just died on the front line.

Note of Defiance

Filmed in early 2023, on the Ukrainian-Russian border, this short documentary explores two artists’ use of their creativity and art as a means of cultural survival and defiance.

Make sure to follow our newsletter and social media for more announcements!

Together, we can prove to cultural programmers that Ukrainian stories are necessary and that there is a large audience ready for them.

Дивимось і читаймо Українське Разом!

Learn more about Razom efforts on the cultural diplomacy front within our Razom Culture project.

What to Read and See about Ukraine and Ukrainians in 2024

Published: January 18, 2024

A Journey Through Ukrainian Literature

Explore a rich array of Ukrainian books already translated into English, supported by Razom.

From Volodymyr Rafeyenko’s Mondegreen and his magical realism novel The Length of Days, exploring the annexation of Donetsk, to captivating works by other Ukrainian literary giants like Serhiy Zhadan, Andriy Kurkov, and Oksana Litsyshyna, as well as non-fiction accounts by Stanislav Aseyev, Serhiy Zhadan, and Andriy Kurkov. If you enjoyed “20 Days in Mariupol,” delve into the novel by its director, Mstyslav Chernov, titled The Dreamtime.

Olena Stiazhkina’s books.

Cecile the Lion Had To Die, a novel about the four Donetsk families and two generations, the last Soviet one and the first Ukrainian one. This book was Razom Book Club’s favorite read in 2021, which is why we extended a grant to publish it. This novel has already been taught in a few U.S. universities and received great marks by students and professors. Also, Olena’s diary of Russia’s 2014 take over of Donetsk was published for the first time in English. It was originally written in Russian, but the author decided not to publish it in the original language.

Pre-order copies of both books.

New Translations of Lesia Ukrainka

The modernist Ukrainian writer Lesia Ukrainka (pen name of Larysa Kosach-Kvitka) pioneered a new feminist literature at the forefront of European trends of the time. Born in 1871, her dramas, poetry and prose address concerns ranging from gender and race to feminism and environmentalism.

Harvard University Press is publishing a new translation of Cassandra, a dramatic poem and a translation of Forest Song by Razom’s frequent collaborators Virlana Tkacz and Wanda Phipps of Yara Arts. Cassandra has already played to great reviews in London in 2021, and Yara Arts staged Forest Song online during the Covid quarantine (available online).

Yaroslav Trofimov

Immerse yourself in the riveting firsthand account of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine capturing the heroism and resilience of the Ukrainian people, as recounted by Yaroslav Trofimov, Wall Street Journal’s Chief Foreign Correspondent. The title, Our Enemies Will Vanish, comes from Ukraine’s national hymn.

Artem Chapaye

A stunning debut collection by Artem Chapaye, a Ukrainian writer currently defending his country in Kyiv.

His collection, featuring the celebrated title story The Ukraine, published in the New Yorker in 2022, offers irreverent, tender, uncomfortable and inconvenient narratives.

Other Anticipated Books in 2024

Look forward to new translations of Andriy Kurkov’s novels, Artem Chech’s And Who are You?, Oksana Lutsyshyna’s Love Life, classics by Valerian Pidmohilny and Mike Iohanssen, and a sweeping Second World War novel depicting Kyiv under occupation by Oleksiy Nikitin.

A Journey Through Ukrainian Cinema

20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL

This powerful, award-winning documentary directed by Pulitzer Prize-winning Ukrainian journalist Mstyslav Chernov, is one of the “musts” to watch and spread the word about.

This year, “20 Days in Mariupol” made history for Ukraine by getting on the shortlist for the Academy Awards in two categories – International Feature and Documentary Feature.

Razom is proud to partner with

FRONTLINE | PBS in bringing this documentary to universities around the U.S. through our Ukraine on Campus program.

If you are a student, professor, staff at a university and would like to participate, reach out to info@razomforukraine.org and stay tuned for announcements!

In the meantime, catch the film online and spread the word!

Watch: 20 Days in Mariupol (full documentary) | FRONTLINE and The Associated Press

pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/20-days-in-mariupol

For more updates and where to catch the film next, see

20daysinmariupol.com

IN THE REARVIEW

Another documentary that entered the Razom Cinema network is Polish/Ukrainian/French collaboration called “In The Rearview”. Behind this award-winning film is a small team of filmmakers who put their lives on hold to help Ukraine and ended up documenting the journey. “In The Rearview” is a collection of stories that director Maciek Hamela recorded during his volunteer rescue expeditions to evacuate people from different regions in Ukraine to safety. In the recent Q&A after the screening, producer Anna Palenchuk shared that she and her family had to leave Bucha around the same time as Maciek’s rescue missions. “I could’ve been one of his passengers”, said Anna. Razom supported the documentary during the OSCAR 2024 campaign as it is another Ukrainian story in the run for the nominations.

Follow their social media channels for the latest on upcoming screenings: https://www.instagram.com/intherearview.film/

If you are interested in bringing this film to your community, give us a shout!

A RISING FURY

Razom had the pleasure to support the production of “A Rising Fury”, which is now a critically acclaimed and 96th Academy Award longlisted feature documentary about the Russo-Ukrainian War. Directed/produced by Lesya Kalynska and Ruslan Batytskyi, produced by TJ Collins and Jonathan Borge Lie, the film reveals the true untold story of how the Russo-Ukrainian war began in 2014. It’s a story about love, revolution, deception, and war filmed for nearly 10 years through intimate verité material. The filmmaking team has plans to make the documentary available to stream to the public in the U.S. and abroad in late spring 2024.

Mark your calendar – “A Rising Fury” will have a special screening in LA at TCL Chinese Theater on February 22, 2024 at 3:30PM and 7:00PM. For more information about the film and what’s next for the team, go to https://arisingfury.com/

RULE OF TWO WALLS

In Summer 2023, Razom provided a grant to the documentary team “Rule of Two Walls” to help bring their team and Ukrainian artists featured in the documentary to attend the World Premiere of the film at the Tribeca Film Festival. Since then, the documentary traveled across other prestigious film festivals and will screen in Australia at the Antenna Documentary Film Festival in February.

Executive produced by Liev Schreiber, the film gives an insight into the lives of Ukrainian artists who create art as a defiant act in the face of aggression.

Follow the film page on instagram https://www.instagram.com/ruleoftwowallsfilm/

KLONDIKE

After becoming the first Ukrainian filmmaker to receive the Sundance Award in World Cinema Dramatic Competition in 2022, Maryna Er Gorbach and her film “Klondike” collected various international awards and were Ukraine’s submission to the OSCARS 2022. This past Summer, “Klondike” had its U.S. theatrical release at the Angelika theater. Razom supported the film with a grant during its Oscars campaign.

You can now watch the film online!

Apple TV

Prime video

A BLIND GAME / ГРА В СЛІПОТУ

Ruslan Batytskyi with Anna Borysova created powerful videos that documented Razom’s work and its impact on the ground in Ukraine. Their short documentary highlights the resilience and unbreakable spirit of sportsmen with disabilities – their undying motivation and belief in themselves. You can watch the full film on YouTube for free.

A HOUSE MADE OF SPLINTERS

Another Razom supported film that made noise at the OSCARS 2023 after being nominated for Best Documentary Feature is the film directed by Simon Lereng Wilmont, co-produced by Ukrainian producers Darya Bassel and Vika Khomenko. The film follows the lives of children and the caregivers in an orphanage in Eastern Ukraine as the war in the region takes a heavy toll on families living nearby.

Razom helped assure there is a strong Ukrainian representation at the Oscars by providing a travel grant for the producers and caregivers featured in the documentary.

You can now watch the film on Apple TV

UKRAINIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL

If you didn’t get the chance to attend the film screenings during UCF this past fall, you are able to catch some of them on TAKFLIX – Ukraine’s first streaming service of all things Ukrainian Cinema.

Feature Film:

Pamfir: https://www.takflix.com/en/films/pamfir

Short Films:

Liturgy of Anti-tanks Obstacles: When Ukrainian Artists Prepare for War | Liturgy of Anti-Tank Obstacles | The New Yorker Documentary

I Didn’t Want To Make A War Film: I Did Not Want to Make a War Film | The New Yorker Documentary

Call Me Anytime, I’m Not Leaving The House: https://www.pbs.org/pov/films/callmeanytimeimnotleavingthehouse/

Diaper Cake: https://www.takflix.com/en/films/diaper-cake

Golden Leggings: https://www.takflix.com/en/films/gkchp

FREEDOM ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

Join us for a special screening of Evgeny Afineevsky’s documentary “Freedom on Fire” at the United Nations on February 20, 2024 at 6:30PM. Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for further announcements!

VESELKA – DOCUMENTARY

These dear friends of Razom are not only celebrating their 70th anniversary, but also the world premiere of documentary film “Veselka: The Rainbow on the Corner at the Center of the World” at Village East cinema.

VESELKA | Official Trailer (2024)

Join us on February 23, 2024 to support Veselka, their team, and their generational impact on the community.

Make sure to follow our newsletter and social media for more announcements!

Together, we can prove to cultural programmers that Ukrainian stories are necessary and that there is a large audience ready for them.

Дивимось і читаймо Українське Разом!