By Ukrainian films have a rich history and encompasses various genres. Ukrainian cinema has distinguished itself in the way it captures the hearts and minds of ordinary viewers and top-notch directors. In this article, you’ll find a list of what we consider the best films Ukrainians have gifted us with.
“Earth” by Oleksandr Dovzhenko
Its script was inspired by real events that took place during collectivization in Ukraine. The film tells the story of a group of farmers who face hardships while in conflict with more affluent “kulak” landowners under the First Five-Year Plan.
At the 1958 World Expo, it was voted number ten on the Brussels 12 list. If you like “Earth,” you might want to check the other two films in Dovzhenko’s “Ukraine Trilogy” — “Zvenigora” and “Arsenal.”
“The Color of Pomegranates” by Sergei Parajanov
Sergei Parajanov, a Ukrainian and Armenian filmmaker, is perhaps most known for an avant-garde biographical drama film about the life of Armenian poet Sayat-Nova. It is famous for its use of symbols and metaphors, as well as its unique visuals.
The film is known for its influence on numerous artists, including Lady Gaga, Madonna, and R.E.M. What’s more, it appeared as one of the greatest films ever made in many polls. Hailed as revolutionary, this film is most certainly a landmark in film history.
“Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” by Sergei Parajanov
“In the temple of cinema, there are images, light, and reality. Parajanov was the master of that temple,” said Jean-Luc Godard, a famous French filmmaker. It comes as no surprise that two works of Parajanov made it to our list.
“Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” is a 1965 Ukrainian film based on the novel by Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky. It tells the story of two lovers, Ivan and Marichka, who get caught up in a bloody feud between their families.
“The Guide” by Oles Sanin
The film depicts the repressions of Ukrainian identity in the 1930s. It follows the story of a boy whose American father got killed by NKVD agents for possession of state secrets. He then is taken in by a blind kobzar, a Ukrainian nomadic musician, who travels around busking.
Accused of harboring ethnocentric romanticism and being anti-party, kobzars were often targeted by the ruling party. The film masterfully shows how the two people in a vulnerable position navigate the complex, politically fraught landscape.
“Firecrosser” by Mykhailo Illienko
It follows the story of Ivan Datsenko, a decorated Soviet hero who led 200 combats against Nazis in WW2. He was captured as a POW by Americans and soon pronounced dead by the Soviets. However, the actual story is more bizarre.
Datsenko managed to sneak his way into Canada. There he fell in love with a Native woman and joined her tribe. Eventually, he became the Native chief Firecrosser in Montreal, with everyone unaware of his complicated past.
While some films can be found online, others might be available on subscription-based streaming services.
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