Tuesday05 November 2024
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New Sentsov film and other eagerly awaited Ukrainian premieres, plus Cannes and Venice winners: highlights to watch at the Kyiv Critics' Week.

If you find it increasingly difficult to discover something captivating in mainstream cinema, consider exploring film festival programs. For the eighth consecutive year, the Kyiv Critics' Week showcases the most intriguing films from top-tier international festivals (Venice, Cannes, Berlin), alongside notable Ukrainian premieres and fascinating retrospectives. This celebration of cinema takes place at the "Zhovten" theater in Podil.
Новая лента Сенцова, долгожданные украинские премьеры и победители Канн и Венеции: что стоит увидеть на Киевской неделе критики.
Новая лента Сенцова и другие долгожданные украинские премьеры, а еще победители Канн и Венеции: что смотреть на Киевской неделе критики

This year, the Kyiv Critics Week will take place from October 17 to 23 and will feature the following sections:

  • International Program — fresh hits from the largest global film festivals.
  • “Focus: Ukraine — Netherlands” — six contemporary premieres of Ukrainian and Dutch cinema.
  • Retrospective “More Wonderful than Paradise,” dedicated to the independent film scene in the USA during the 70s and 90s.
  • Ukrainian retrospective “Chimeric Time,” focusing on the genre of poetic cinema and created in collaboration with the Dovzhenko Centre.
  • Ukrainian gala premieres.
  • Special screenings.

We have curated a selection of 10 films to help you navigate the diverse cinematic offerings of the program and find the films that suit you best.

“Real” (2024, Ukraine/Croatia), directed by Oleg Sentsov

Director Oleg Sentsov (“Numbers,” “Rhino”) mobilized into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the onset of the full-scale invasion. In the summer of 2023, Sentsov's armored personnel carrier was hit by the enemy, forcing him into a nearby trench where he attempted to organize an evacuation of part of his unit via radio. The soldiers found themselves under fire and nearly out of ammunition, stationed at a location codenamed “Real.”

Sentsov filmed this battle with a GoPro attached to his helmet, but only discovered that the camera was recording six months later while cleaning his laptop. After watching the footage, he consulted with his producer and decided to turn it into a film. The video was not edited; it was intentionally left raw, with only the sound processed. The premiere took place at the Karlovy Vary festival, where Sentsov's work received very positive reviews.

Watch: October 19 at 10:00 and October 19 at 19:30

“Emilia Perez” (2024, France), directed by Jacques Audiard

Lawyer Rita helps a drug cartel leader exit the criminal world in an unusual way: the criminal plans to undergo a gender transition and become a woman, as he has always dreamed. Emilio's decision to become Emilia opens up a new life for the character, filled with unexpected challenges.

The film balances between thriller, comedy, and musical. At the Cannes Film Festival, “Emilia Perez” won the Jury Prize, and the ensemble cast, including Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldana, Adriana Paz, and Carla Sofia Gascon, was awarded for Best Actress.

Watch: October 17 at 10:00 and October 17 at 19:00

“Daughter” (2024, Ukraine/United Kingdom), directed by Yegor Olesov

The directorial debut of the producer of “Mavka. The Forest Song,” “Zachar Berkut,” “The Price of Truth” tells the story of the early days of the war in Ukraine in February 2022.

At the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, 17-year-old Olga, who has hearing impairments, arrives at her father’s home with his new family in Bucha. Their house is taken over by Russian occupiers. Trapped, Olga and her family face the brutality of the invaders and threats to their lives.

Watch: October 21 at 10:00 and October 21 at 19:30

“Sex, Lies, and Videotape” (1989, USA), directed by Steven Soderbergh

Steven Soderbergh’s feature debut (“Ocean’s Eleven,” “Erin Brockovich”), which made him the youngest recipient of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. This indie drama also marked a significant moment in the history of independent cinema and launched Soderbergh’s career in Hollywood.

Life seemed perfect for John: a successful career, a beautiful wife, and a secret affair with her sister. But the arrival of an old college friend disrupts this illusion. John’s wife becomes closer to the mysterious man, discovering his collection of videotapes featuring women’s sexual confessions. It turns out that this is the only way the new acquaintance can achieve sexual pleasure.

Watch: October 19 at 09:50 and October 19 at 19:35

“The Editorial” (2024, Ukraine/Germany/Slovakia/Czech Republic), directed by Roman Bondarchuk

Good intentions lead Yura, a young biologist, to the editorial office of a local newspaper in the Kherson region. He witnesses an intentional forest fire and tries to tell people the truth about the wildfires. Instead, he finds himself in a complex world of local corruption schemes, fake news, and political intrigue. With mayoral elections approaching, the main candidate is making campaign promises despite being in a coma...

The premiere of Roman Bondarchuk's film took place at the Berlin Film Festival. The leading role was played by Dmitry Baghnenko — a journalist from Kherson, making his film debut. The director has previously explored the culture and character of his native Kherson region: the events of Bondarchuk's previous film “Volcano” also unfolded in southern Ukraine.

Watch: October 20 at 10:00 and October 20 at 19:10

“Brutalist” (2024, USA/UK/Hungary), directed by Brady Corbet

László Tóth, a talented architect from Hungary who survived the Holocaust, arrives in America in search of a better life. A major project from a mysterious client is supposed to help László realize his dream and assist his family in relocating to America. However, as construction progresses, László begins to realize that the price of success in the new country may be too high.

The title “Brutalist” refers to an architectural style characterized by large masses of concrete, geometric clarity, and functionality, often perceived as harsh and cold. At the Venice Film Festival, the film received the Prize of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), and Brady Corbet was recognized as Best Director. The lead role in this historical epic, which runs for over three hours, was played by Adrien Brody.

Watch: October 22 at 12:30 and October 23 at 17:30

“Gray Bees” (2024, Ukraine), directed by Dmitry Moiseev

In the gray zone of the ATO, in a small village without electricity, only two elderly men remain to live. Under shells occasionally flying over the village, the pensioner neighbors lead their modest lives, sometimes meeting for contradictory but necessary communication. Paying little attention to the military events, they try to create their peaceful existence in a dangerous area, but everything falls apart when a Russian sniper appears in the village.

“Gray Bees” is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by writer Andrey Kurkov. The main characters are played by Viktor Zhdanov (“Catch Kaydash,” “Volcano”) and Vladimir Yamnenko (“Wild Field”). The film was shot in the Luhansk region and the drama received the award for “Best Feature Film” at the National Competition of the Odessa Film Festival.

Watch: October 18 at 10:00 and October 18 at 19:00

“Dazed and Confused” (1993, USA), directed by Richard Linklater

A small town in Texas, 1976. On the last day of school, the graduates throw a grand party with a “sex, drugs, rock and roll” theme. Football players break their sobriety promise, honor students experiment with the forbidden, and quiet ones unexpectedly reveal themselves. Amid loud music and clouds of smoke, they search for themselves and try to define who they want to be in the future.

The film “Dazed and Confused” did not achieve significant commercial success upon release but later gained cult status and was recognized as one of the best films about teenagers. The film is also included in lists of the best films by Empire, Variety, Entertainment Weekly, and The Guardian. Many actors featured in the film later became stars: Matthew McConaughey (“Interstellar,” “Dallas Buyers Club”), Ben Affleck (“The Last Duel,” “Lost”), Mila Jovovich (“The Fifth Element”).

Watch: October 18 at 10:30 and October 18 at 16:00

“Parthenope” (2024, Italy/France), directed by Paolo Sorrentino

The new film by Paolo Sorrentino (“The Great Beauty,” “Youth,” “The Young