The EUNIC for Ukraine – European film week, orchestrated by the four EUNIC Scotland cluster institutes (Goethe-Institut Glasgow, Institut Français d’Ecosse, Alliance Française Glasgow and Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Edimburgo), is a sign of solidarity with Ukraine. Various film screenings are planned from the 16th to the 23rd of November at the different participating institutes. The films are intended to provide an insight into Ukrainian filmmaking by means of historical as well as contemporary works, feature films as well as documentaries, and thus raise awareness of social, political, but above all cultural aspects that reach beyond the current debate about the war, about humanitarian and purely military support for the European neighbouring country that was attacked in violation of international law. You can register for the film screening of Heat Singers at the Alliance Française Glasgow on 21st November for free here. Event details: Goethe-Institut Glasgow: Wednesday, 16.11. at 5.15pm – STOP-ZEMLIA, Director: Kate Gornostai From a debutant Ukrainian director Kate Gornostai, a radical, authentic, and sensitive insight into the unsettling feeling of being young and an inside perspective on Ukrainian youth. Synopsis An introverted high-school girl Masha sees herself as an outsider unless she hangs around with Yana and Senia who share her non-conformist status. While she is trying to navigate through an intense time of the pre-graduation year, Masha falls in love that forces her to leave her comfort zone. Director: Kate Gornostai Year: 2021 Length: 122 min Language: Ukrainian with English subtitles Age rating: 14+ Institut Français d’Ecosse: Friday, 18.11. at 6pm – SHADOWS OF THE FORGOTTEN ANCESTORS, Director: Serghiy Paradzhanov SHADOWS OF THE FORGOTTEN ANCESTORS The most prominent film in Ukrainian poetic cinema movement. Synopsis Director: Serghiy Paradzhanov Alliance Française Glasgow: Monday, 21.11. at 6pm – HEAT SINGERS, Director: Nadia Parfan HEAT SINGERS Synopsis Director: Nadia Parfan Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Edimburgo: Tuesday, 22.11. at 6pm – MY THOUGHTS ARE SILENT, Director: Antonio Lukich Synopsis Director: Antonio Lukich In partnership with:
Based on a 1911 novel by Ukrainian writer Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky, Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors is a Romeo and Juliet story, in which the protagonists, two star-crossed lovers, hope to rebel against their warring families. Ivan (Ivan Mykolaichuk) is a young boy who falls in love with the Marichka (Larisa Kadochnikova). Marichka’s father, however, is responsible for the murder of Ivan’s father, so their relationship is fraught with tension. Ivan leaves the village to find work and make some money so that the two can be married. But in his absence, Marichka accidentally drowns, leaving Ivan bereft. He strikes up a new relationship with Palahna (Tatyana Bestayeva), and the two are married, but the match isn’t a success; Ivan still pines for Marichka. In response to Ivan’s neglect, Marichka turns to the affections of Yurko (Spartak Bagashvili), a local molfar, a person reputed to have magic powers. When Ivan learns of this, he tries to kill Yuko with an axe, but Yurko easily bests him. Fleeing to a nearby forest, Ivan thinks he sees Marichka, and pursues her spirit as it floats through the woods. But when Marichka’s spirit reaches out to touch Ivan’s hand, her caress is instantly fatal. With a cry, Ivan falls to the ground, dead.
Year: 1964
Length: 97 min
Subtitles: English
A charming, humorous, yet serious documentary that balances patriotism and the harsh reality of working-class men in Ukraine today. This delightful film full of music focuses on a central heating system as a symbol of modern Ukraine, and is an internationally successful work by young exciting female voice of talented Nadia Parfan.
TeploKomunEnergo is a municipal heating company in a provincial Ukrainian town. Most of its workers are as old as the company and for five days per week they deal with bursting radiators, flooded basements and angry clients. Except for Wednesdays, when their lives are put on hold at 3pm for the love for music. Ivan Vasyliovych has long been the trade union leader at TeploKomunEnergo in Ivano-Frankivsk. His magnum opus is the trade union choir for mechanics, repairmen, dispatchers, bookkeepers and other employees, and Ivan is very proud of their creative achievements. Over the course of three years, Nadia Parfan skilfully observed how working-class culture and human warmth can serve as a survival mechanism in times of great transition. 'Heat Singers' explores how outdated social structures which no longer fit into the modern economy, continue, paradoxically, to function.
Year: 2019
Length: 63 min
Subtitles: English
Twenty-five-year-old Vadym works as a sound recordist. When a generous job offer comes along which could help him fulfil his dream to move to Canada, he doesn’t think twice and sets out to record the sounds of animals in the Carpathians.
This job could be his only chance to permanently leave the “uncomfortable" Ukraine and go to attractive Canada. But things turn out tough since the main companion in the new job will be a a very special person – Vadym's mother.
Year: 2019
Length: 104 min
Subtitles: English
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