New film festival highlights rich film tradition in Ukraine

A new film festival couldn't come at a better time for Winnipeg. It's the first ever Ukrainian Film Festival, or KinoFilmFest, and it sheds light on a country we think we know but we may not.

The organizers,AndriiScherbukhaandValeriiPasko are both recent Ukrainian emigres. They arrived here two years ago and didn't waste any time setting up thisfilm festival which runs May 23 and 24 at the Manitoba Theatre for Young Peopleat The Forks.

Pasko points out that there are so many people in Manitoba of Ukrainian descent, but many of them are losing their connection to their Ukrainian culture.

The festival, which was plannedbefore the current turmoil in Ukraine, features a wide variety of Ukrainian-made films, old and new, all subtitled in English.

One striking film from 1964,called In the Shadowof Forgotten Ancestors, highlights the unique culture, traditions, music and costumes of the Hutsul people of western Ukraine. It tells the classic story of two rival families where the boy from one family falls in love with the girl from the other family.

"It's the magnum opus of the great Ukrainian director Sergei Parajanov," explainedScherbukha."It's absolutely gorgeous,the Carpathia region is so picturesque."

The festival will also present the first Crimean Tatar feature film,Haytarma,from 2013. It recounts thefour-day period in May,1944 when180,000 Tatars were deported from Crimea to Uzbekistan, on the orders of Stalin.

A stylish comedy is also on the bill, Chasing Two Hares, about a barber who is in love with a poor girl, but islooking for a wealthy bride.

"It's a classic cult Ukrainian comedy," said Pasko.

The festival also includes a number of award-winning shorts and even Saturday morning Ukrainiancartoons.

Scherbukhasays there is a very rich film tradition in Ukraine. "The new generation of directors can combine that experience with the experience of Hollywood and modern film traditions, and that's why I think it has a great future."

TheKinoFilm Fest runs at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People at The Forks on May 23 and 24.