Ukrainian international film festival announces prize-winners (02/11/01)

Ukrainian international film festival announces prize-winners

by Ihor Vynnychenko

KYIV - The Ukrainian international film festival, "Our Blossom - Across the World," announced at the end of 2000 that a film on the struggle for ethnic survival of the Kuban Kozaks had taken the grand prize at its first annual video contest. The video documentary was chosen from among 15 videotape projects submitted by professionals and amateurs in Canada, the United States, Lithuania, Russia and Ukraine. The festival jury also handed out five runner-up prizes for four documentary pieces and one animated film project.

The film festival, initiated by the Institute of Diaspora Studies of the Ukraina Society and chaired by Vice Prime Minister Mykola Zhulynskyi, is an attempt to deepen relations between Ukrainians and their countrymen living abroad. Festival organizers hope to increase the country's awareness of the accomplishments of Ukrainians scattered across the globe with their annual contest.

The winner of the inaugural grand prize is "The Kuban Kozaks. Already 200 years..," which was created by documentary filmmaker Valentyn Sperkach. The film is an attempt to analyze the complex and traumatic circumstances surrounding the loss of national self-identity. During the reign of Catherine II, the Zaporozhian Kozaks were forcibly removed to the Kuban region - historically Ukrainian territory, which had been annexed to Russia - ostensibly to protect the southern flank of the empire.

Beginning then and continuing during 70 years of Soviet communism, the Kuban Kozaks increasingly lost their collective historical memory as they suffered Russification and forced assimilation. Today the ancestors of these Kozaks do not know who they are, Russians or Ukrainians; they do not speak any literary language fluently.

In contrast, director Oleksii Naumenko, winner of one of the runner-up prizes for his "Distant Native Land" uses a straightforward reporting style in developing a story on how national self-identity became the instrument of survival for Ukrainians who migrated to Australia a half century ago. Although somewhat paradoxical, it turns out that the historical traditions accented by this group in its effort to preserve the Ukrainian community there also helped the new immigrants in the daily struggle for survival.

Another runner-up,"Appia Antica" by broadcast journalist Viktor Chernyshuk, tries to show how the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church - which tied its destiny to Rome four centuries ago - in fighting to retain the culture of the Church also helped to maintain the spiritual health of the nation. The Church had a far-reaching influence on the nation, forstering a strong sense of religious self-awareness and a fiercely independent sense of the right of worship that ultimately was extended to other democratic rights. It is not surprising that the UGCC actively supported the Ukrainian national independence movement.

Lviv director Eduard Zaniuk took a runner-up prize for his "The Stone Cross of Peter Jacyk," a cinematographic portrait of the renowned Ukrainian Canadian businessman/philanthropist.

Mr. Jacyk, a native of the village of Synevidsko Vyzhnie in Halychyna, decided while still a youth to overcome poverty and embrace generosity. That decision allowed him to become not only a talented Canadian businessman, but also a dedicated philanthropist. Mr. Jacyk's experience demonstrates that even in a distant, alien world, pragmatism works best when it is driven by an idealistic goal - in this case, to return Ukraine its rightful history by underwriting the publication of Mykhailo Hrushevsky's "History of Ukraine-Rus' " and Ukrainian studies programs, and to help renew Ukraine's culture.

"The Never-Changing Face of Plast," the last of the documentaries cited as a runner-up, is a collective audio-visual portrait of the well-known Ukrainian youth organization, which was made in 1999 on the 50th anniversary jubilee of the organization's founding in the United States. The filmmakers (co-directors Zenia Brozyna, Adia Fedash and Xenia Piaseckyj and producer Vlodko Artymyshyn) present much information on the tradition of Plast camps: oaths, rituals, excursions, athletic competitions, etc. For members, Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization is a way of life and a model of behavior.

To add a lighter touch to what is otherwise a series of very serious themes, the judges decided to award one more runner-up prize for the animated video film "Lira," produced by the Kyiv studio Zerna, and artistic director Oleksander Mukhin. This "Chumak fairy tale" concisely and specifically draws together in an electronic format all those themes that constitute life in today's Ukraine , and presents the idea that on the road of life one should not be afraid of the single most important encounter that may take place: the encounter with oneself.

The video expresses the necessity to be able to look at oneself and at one's surroundings with irony and humor, which, more than the loudest political rhetoric, is the mark of a healthy nation.

While the Kyiv television channel STB has agreed to broadcast the works by this year's laureates, which will give them a national, as well as international venue (STB's signal is received in foreign countries, as well), the festival organizers expect that the winning films will get a viewing in their home countries as well.

The end of this year's judging marks the beginning of the next festival cycle, which will coincide with 10th anniversary celebrations of Ukraine's independence. Last year's winners, along with those that will be named this year, will be presented at the Third All-Ukrainian Forum to be held in Kyiv in August 2001.

Those who wish to submit entries for this year's contest should do so on VHS videotape or on Betacam SP in the PAL system. The video submission should be no longer than 30 minutes with voiceovers in the Ukrainian language. Please include the names of the authors, along with a telephone number, fax or e-mail address.

Intertrans, a state-run company, and Golden Telekom GSM, a private firm, currently are providing financial and organizational assistance. Their support, however, covers only a portion of what is needed. Festival organizers expressed their hope that more assistance will be forthcoming from those who are not indifferent to Ukraine's past and future. A list of contributors will be published in the press, while sponsors will be acknowledged at the next prize ceremony.

For more information on the festival go to the website at ukrsvit.kiev.ua. The festival's organizing committee may be contacted at: Kyiv 01034; a/c 507; telephone, (380-44) 244-2911; fax, (380-44) 513-7132; e-mail, [email protected].

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