A story of war, love and death and the third chapter of the six-part docuseries offering a deep dive in the Ukrainian culture. You can now HELP Ukrainian filmmakers in need by watching these two new releases on the Filmakers for Ukraine Charity Screeenings platform
“This is a story of war. Love. Death“. With these words, documentary filmmaker Anastasiia Starozhitska introduces “The War of Chimeras“, the new title available on the Filmmakers for Ukraine charity screenings platform, starting from Thursday, 25 August.
“The War of Chimeras” is a 2017 striking documentary by mother-daughter film directors Maria and Anastasia Starozhitska following the personal story of the latter and her boyfriend who serves the Ukrainian army in the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“This is a very personal story, filmed a few years ago” – says co-director Anastasiia Starozhitska in her video statement – “Right now, the Ukrainian soldier you see on the screen is back at the front. And others too. We call this story one of ‘war, love and death’, because we really tried to show our own experience to pass it further. And the cinematic way is the best for it“.
See the statement below:
The second title joining the charity screenings is the new chapter of the Docuseries Fantastic Ukrainians. After exploring the roots of Ukrainian Music and Cinema, the third episode focuses entirely on LITERATURE, asking the viewers some interesting questions.
FILMMAKERS FOR UKRAINE, START YOUR SCREENING BY CLICKING HERE
The War of Chimeras (2017) by Anastasiia Starozhitska & Mariia Starozhitska
Synopsis
This strikingly graphic and honest documentary is about the human toll of the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine that started in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and was immediately followed by the Russian occupation of parts of southeastern Ukraine. Director Anastasiia Starozhitska and her boyfriend, Ukrainian soldier Valery Lavrenov, are filming what’s happening to them and sharing their feelings with each other. They are together out of frame, and then in the frame. He volunteered for the front; she went to the place just after the battle. He got into Ilovaysk cauldron, lost his closest brother-soldiers. She, while travelling along the ruined towns, strives to understand the essence of war and love. Both tell openly one another about their feelings during the war, escaping the cauldron, a try to live together after, and a common trip to the frontline.
Watch the trailer for The War of Chimeras:
Fantastic Ukrainians is a series of documentary films about some of the most prominent people in contemporary Ukrainian music, cinema, literature, visual arts, fashion and dance. This week FILMMAKERS FOR UKRAINE presents the third of the six films.
Fantastic Ukrainians – Film 3. LITERATURE (2020 – 2021)
“There is no society without culture” – those are the first words we hear in the trailer for the film – “Only by realizing that we are truly unique, we will build a new cultural heritage. A new Ukraine“.
Synopsis:
Do you need sex in Ukrainian literature lessons? Why will a woman win the Nobel Prize from Ukraine? Can you become the second Max Kidruk (or at least the Ukrainian Stephen King)? And what is happening in the Ukrainian book industry?
You will find those answers by watching the new episode of the docuseries.
Watch the trailer for Fantastic Ukrainians
We need your help!
At the moment, 9 Ukrainian or Ukrainian-themed films are available on the Charity Screenings Platform. New films available every week.
Renting a film costs 5 euros (short) or 9 euros (full-length).
All proceeds raised from streaming will be donated to Ukrainian filmmakers in dire need.
The Charity Committee operating within the NGO Filmmakers For Refugees decides on the allocation of funds.
For direct donations – go to Paypal.
Thank you to all viewers who join in this support effort!
Watch, understand and support Ukrainian filmmakers!
