Cinematic Summer - August Update
How about spending the hot late summer evenings in Berlin's open air cinemas, enjoying Ukrainian cinematic highlights?
Dear all,
after an unanncounced summer break, we are back with a bunch of screening recommendations for the late summer. This August, be prepared to enjoy both current and new as well as historical and well-aged gems of Ukrainian cinema.
In this issue you’ll find:
Luxembourg, Luxembourg (31.08.2023)
Mavka - various screenings
Stop Zemlia (23.08.2023)
White bird marked with black (17.08.23)
Second-class citizen (27.08.23)
Tarkovskij Revisited Screening Series
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
🎞 Film and Cinema
Screening of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
On August 31th make your way to Kiezkino Charlottenburg for the screening of Ukrainian comedy Luxembourg Luxembourg directed by the Antonio Lukich (My Thoughts are Silent). The movie follows the journey of two estranged twin brothers, one a scrappy criminal, the other working in law enforcement, as they reconnect with their criminal father, who is on his deathbed in a hospital in Luxembourg. Be prepared for a story about complicated family relations, idolizing of parental figures, shattering of self-image and most of all: a heartwarming story about fathers and brothers.
Mavka - Hüterin des Waldes
Loosely based on the play "Lisova pisnja" by Ukrainian writer Lessya Ukrainka, this animation has been a long-awaited gem, with production spanning since 2015. Now, at last, you can eescape reality for a while and be enchanted by beautiful "Mavka" with subtitles or translations in various Berlin cinemas. The story about the gate keeper of a magical forest, Mavka, explores the struggles of navigating her big responsibility and of young love.
SAVE THE DATE: Ukrainian Film Festival Berlin has announced its date for this years festival week: 25th to 29th of October. Mark your calendars, everyone, and look forward to a week full of breath-taking cinema and insightful events around the screenings.
Stop Zemlia at Brotfabrik
On 23rd of August you can enjoy a screening of Stop Zemlia, a Ukrainian coming-of-age film about being a teenager in Kyiv. The screening will be hosted by Cine Mova e.V., a Berlin-based club for Ukrainian cinema, on the occasion of Ukrainian Independence Day, that takes places a day after the screening.
Ukrainian Dreams at Kino Arsenal
Arsenal cinema in Berlin presents "Ukrainian Dreams," a series of screenings featuring a mix of renowned and lesser-known directors. In August, you have the opportunity to explore the depths of Ukrainian cinematic history. On August 17th, immerse yourself in "White bird marked with black," a period drama set in the Ukrainian Carpathians during WW2. This gem unveils the complex Carpathian history through the lens of a family torn apart by conflicting loyalties towards opposing political powers. Then, on August 27th, prepare for "Second class citizen," an eccentric comedy by Kira Muratova. Delve into the absurd and bizarre horror film parody, in which a woman navigates the aftermath of an accidentally having her boyfriend murdered.
Tarkovskij Revisited at Kino Arsenal
Andrei Tarkovsky, a much admired soviet filmmaker, is celebrated for his profound and transcendent works that challenge the norms of cinema. This retrospective, hosted by Arsenal cinema, invites us to question the hegemony of russian culture, particularly amidst the suspension caused by russia's aggression against Ukraine in 2022. You can join discussions and explore the connections to the "Ukrainian Dreams" series, challenging the canon and its heroes. Upcoming screenings are:
24.08.: Andrej Rubel
26.08.: Offret
29.08.: Zerkalo
TIP OF THE MONTH:
Isabella, student of History and Slavonic Studies, is a Berlin-based activist, whose work I highly recommend you to follow. Her Instagram page serves as a digital diary, in which she captures her passionate activism for Ukraine and Belarus, as well as her travels to russia. Explore her profile to read her insights into russia, where she travelled to in the past weeks to do research on the current war-related discourse in the country.
Thank you for reading until the end! Let me know, which screenings you look forward to the most.
Lots of love,
From Julia’s Desk
Hi Julia!! I love your texts❤️
Outstandingly written and many inspiring insights – you never disappoint!