If the Oscar-winning documentary “20 Days in Mariupol” left you deeply moved, there’s a plenty more of Ukrainian cinema waiting to be discovered. Here are our top picks.
The Tribe (2014)
The Tribe is a powerful and unsettling film that indirectly reflects the violence and turmoil that would later engulf Ukraine. Set in a boarding school for the deaf, the film’s narrative of survival and power struggles resonates deeply with the broader context of a country on the brink of war. Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi’s innovative use of Ukrainian Sign Language, without subtitles, immerses the audience in a raw and unfiltered experience, mirroring the isolation and chaos of the war.
Homeward (2019)
Nariman Aliev’s Homeward is a poignant road movie that follows Crimean Tatars Mustafa and his son Alim face emotional and practical challenges as they set out to collect the body of the elder son of the family, Nazim, killed in the Russian war against Ukraine. Their journey begins at the morgue and takes them on a road trip in a Jeep Cherokee from Kyiv to the turbulent Crimean Peninsula, driven by Mustafa’s desire to mourn and bury his son according to Crimean Islamic traditions.
The story, rooted in the struggle for cultural survival, reflects the broader narrative of Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty and the personal cost of geopolitical conflict. Homeward is a poignant reminder of the enduring human spirit in the face of war.
It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It was selected as the Ukrainian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.
Rock Paper Grenade (2022)
Set in post-Soviet Ukraine, Rock Paper Grenade by Iryna Tsilyk explores the lingering scars of past conflicts that continue to influence the present. The film’s portrayal of a young boy and a war veteran’s unlikely friendship sheds light on the intergenerational trauma and the challenges of rebuilding lives in a country still haunted by the specter of war.
Tsilyk co-wrote the script with her husband Artem Chekh, based on his autobiographical novel. So the film is packed with knowing details that bring the characters and situations to colorful life, finding the joy in people whose lives have been upended by war.
The visual style, captured by cinematographer Vyacheslav Tsvetkov and editor Ivan Bannikov, enhances the film’s overall impact.
The film was completed before the Russian full-scale invasion on February 24, when Tsilyk already started working on a new narrative drama and a documentary essay exploring the existential tension between Russia and Ukraine. She emphasizes the importance of Ukrainian artists continuing to speak up defiantly, arguing that silence can be a form of complicity. As she told Screen Daily, “My task is telling stories to the world. I believe that’s important, and I know that silence could be a kind of crime too.”
The Cacophony of Donbas (2018)
Ihor Minaev’s documentary The Cacophony of Donbas offers a crucial exploration of the origins and impact of the war in Eastern Ukraine. It explores the tragic disillusionment of a region. Soviet propaganda portrayed the Donbas miners — the supposed elite of the working class — as basking in a utopia of work, joy, and well-being.
The documentary deconstructs the myth of Donbas by showcasing the contrasting narratives. On one hand, Soviet propaganda paints a rosy picture, portraying the region as a model of ideology. On the other hand, archival footage and interviews with former residents expose the harsh realities that were hidden from the public eye. These accounts reveal the devastating effects of Russian aggression and the suffering inflicted on the people of Donbas.
It’s an essential watch for understanding the complexities of the war and its devastating effects on the people of Ukraine.
The movie received the Best Documentary Film Prize at the Mariupol Film Festival in Ukraine in 2019.
Luxembourg, Luxembourg (2022)
Antonio Lukich’s Luxembourg, Luxembourg is a dark comedy that follows twin brothers on a journey to Luxembourg in search of their estranged father. The film blends humor with melancholy, capturing the absurdities and challenges of family dynamics. Its quirky style and heartfelt moments make it a standout in the new wave of Ukrainian cinema. While not directly about the war, the film’s themes of displacement and loss echo the broader struggles faced by many Ukrainians today.
The main characters in the film are portrayed by real-life twin brothers who were born in Blyzniuky, a town’s name translates to “twin brothers” in Ukrainian. These actors are also part of Kurgan & Agregat, a renowned Ukrainian hip-hop band from the Kharkiv region. Known for their distinctive use of Surzhik—a mix of Ukrainian and Russian—and the Slobozhan dialect in their lyrics, reflecting the rich heritage of their region.
As the war in Ukraine continues, its film industry is playing a crucial role in shaping the nation’s narrative and preserving its history. These films showcase the diversity of storytelling and the bold vision of Ukraine’s filmmakers, making them essential viewing for anyone interested in the evolution of global cinema.
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