Columbia's Ukrainian Film Club spotlights many faces of contemporary Ukraine (04/24/05)

Columbia's Ukrainian Film Club spotlights many faces of contemporary Ukraine

by Stefan Rak

NEW YORK - Columbia University's Ukrainian Film Club on Thursday, April 7, hosted another event titled "The Many Faces of Contemporary Ukraine: Films by Valentyn Vasyanovych, Olena Fetysova, Oles Sanin and Serhyi Bukovsky." Yuri Shevchuk, the founder and leader of the Ukrainian Film Club, introduced and screened four compelling films by these accomplished filmmakers.

"Counterclockwise" (Proty Sontsia, directed by Valentin Vasyanovych, 2004) was the first film of the evening. It relates the narrative of a young sculptor who seeks to escape the frustrations of his life through his art. Throughout the short film, a voiceover of his nagging wife follows him - whether he is working in his studio at home or outside on the beach, where the greater part of the film occurs. "Counterclockwise" explores the protagonist's ability to find himself within his art, enabling him to achieve the greater harmony he desires. Out on the beach, the sculptor spends several days repeatedly creating and destroying works in a ritualistic manner - until he finally finds what it is he's looking for.

Shot on old, defective film stock, Mr. Vasyanovych deliberately employs black and white, yellow tinting, and even a very brief color sequence to help express his character's psychology. The film works as a meditation on both the artist's craft and the natural elements - which are inseparable in sculpture. The earth that produces the clay, the water that helps the artist mold the clay, and the air and the fire that bake the clay - all figure prominently in the film's diegesis.

The title of the film, "Counterclockwise," refers directly to the protagonist's left-handed spinning of his potter's wheel. The literal translation of the film, "against the sun," unites the film's indivisible interest in art and nature. Mr. Vasyanovych's provocative short film was awarded the coveted Special Jury Prize at the prestigious 17th International Short Film Festival at Clermont-Ferrand, France, in February.

The other three films screened that night were all documentaries. "Christmas" (Rizdvo, directed Oles Sanin, 1999) is a film that focuses on the social and religious rituals of the Hutsuls. Mr. Sanin, who also directed the acclaimed feature film "Mamay" (2003), began his career as a documentary filmmaker in the mid-1990s. Since then, he has made numerous documentary films, admirably insisting on staying and making films within his homeland of Ukraine.

The film provides an interesting account of the lifestyles and customs of the Hutsuls during the winter and spring months, highlighting Christmas and Easter. Mr. Sanin's versatile camera attentively captures human life in the Carpathians - at home, at work, inside, outside, eating, praying, both as individuals and as a culture. The film begins and ends with a man praying, emphasizing the importance of religion, while structurally bringing the documentary full circle. Music is also of central importance, and Mr. Sanin capably weaves a veritable tapestry of Carpathian music (with the dominant sounds of fiddles, Jews harps, bagpipes, drums) that runs throughout the film. Mr. Sanin's use of intertitles (instead of the common documentary trope of voiceover narration), in addition to his shooting in black and white begs comparison to silent era filmmaking.

Ultimately, "Christmas" functions as a testament, an incredibly absorbing visual and aural tribute to the complex and rich Hutsul culture.

The next film screened was Olena Fetysova's "If I Were a Saxophone" (2004), a documentary about the Ukrainian musician Veronika Kozhukhariova. The film follows Ms. Kozhukhariova around the world, from her hometown in Symferopol, Ukraine, to conservatories and performances in Kyiv, Paris and Moscow. Ms. Fetysova films Ms. Kozhukhariova playing solo and performing in orchestras, giving the audience the opportunity to judge her playing, while also including the insights of her instructors in Paris and Moscow.

Interviews with Ms. Kozhukhariova and her foster mother reveal a troubled childhood spent in orphanages. At one point, she tersely recounts being beaten at the age of 5, but quickly puts an end to that line of questioning. Clearly, they were difficult times for her. Her foster mother recalls that she was a very independent child, full of aggression, and asserts that she probably would have ended up in prison - probably, that is, if she had not discovered her love for playing the saxophone.

"If I Were a Saxophone" is a well-composed, intriguing documentary about a girl who is able to rise above the limitations of her environment and the social expectations ascribed her to become a woman of great talent and promise.

The final film screened on Thursday was Serhyi Bukovski's "Red Soil" (Chervona Zemlia, 2001), a documentary that focuses on the Ukrainian community in Brazil. Panorama views of the lush vegetation and beautiful countryside contrast with intimate shots of daily life. From a wedding to a party in someone's home, from feeding the livestock to chopping wood to tilling the soil, it is interesting to see how the Ukrainian expatriates have made a new home in Brazil.

Comparable to Mr. Sanin's "Rizdvo" in its ethnographic mode, "Red Soil" is altogether a very different documentary. Filmed in color to accentuate the verdant landscapes and, indeed, the distinctly red soil, Mr. Bukovski's film also features a live recorded soundtrack, literally giving the Ukrainian Brazilians a voice, and capturing the sounds of their daily lives, their music and their environment.

An attentive audience of about 30 individuals attended the event, which also included a post-screening discussion of the films. Audience members expressed their opinions on the films, elaborating on what impressed them most about the particular works, or even what they found problematic.

The undeniable significance of the Ukrainian Film Club is becoming increasingly apparent. Not only does the club provide an opportunity to see Ukrainian films in America, it is also working to establish a much-needed forum of ideas to help foster a greater consciousness of contemporary Ukrainian film.

The idea of enabling a dialogue and increasing awareness around Ukrainian film is further evidenced in the Ukrainian Film Club website, which features an online forum through which interested parties can post their own thoughts and reflections. For example, Patricia Coale, who attended the screening last Thursday, posted her thoughts on each of the films - and received a response from Ms. Fetysova, director of "If I Were a Saxophone."

Ms. Coale wrote, "I applaud Ms. Fetysova for bringing this story to the screen. It is important that it be told. It is awesome to see an upbeat film from Ukraine. And I hope to listen to Ms. Kozhukhariova either via cd or in concert." To which Ms. Fetysova replied, "Thanks a lot for your feedback on the film. You've felt the things I would like [the] audience to feel. Your comments are of great importance for me because just now I am in the beginning of the new [documentary] about one foster family in Ukraine. Best wishes, Olena."

In addition to the forum, the website also offers biographical information on many of the featured filmmakers, a newsreel that highlights significant news and developments in Ukrainian filmmaking, and a statement of purpose explaining the ideological foundation and the goals of the Film Club. The website also posts information on upcoming events, and includes posters, stills, links, and a guestbook. The website address is http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ufc/.

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