In Kyiv, the international film festival Molodist kicked off. This year the program includes about 250 films from over 60 countries. Despite the challenges of wartime, organizers emphasize the event’s importance for cultural diplomacy and as a form of therapy for audiences.
The festival director said that the team worked under very difficult conditions, in particular due to the mobilization of part of the staff. Nevertheless, they expect more than 30 foreign guests, which is of great significance for cultural diplomacy.
“So that they see how we live, how we work in these conditions… Art is also therapy. I see the eyes of the audience and understand that this is needed. That we have done the work that today is required by both our Ukrainian audience and the foreigners who come.”
– the festival director
The opening film was the American classic The Apartment, which has five Academy Awards. According to the festival director, the film was chosen deliberately to give viewers something lighter and not to plunge them into grim events at the opening.
This year the festival places a special emphasis on Ukrainian cinema. The director of Molodist noted the emergence of a new wave of young Ukrainian directors who have something to say.
Mykola Nedzelsky, who joined the jury, noted that the festival has always targeted a young audience and debutants. He will evaluate the Futures program, which consists exclusively of Ukrainian films.
“This is a chance to help [directors] take the next step”
– Mykola Nedzelsky
“This festival is not only an opportunity to introduce the world to Ukrainian cinema, but also to support its development and the emergence of new talents,” Nedzelsky noted.
Among the participants is debuting director Yuriy Dunay, who is an active service member. His film “Weary,” which entered the international program, tells the story of soldiers with PTSD based on real events.
“Our society does not fully realize the scale of this problem. I, as an active-duty serviceman, understand and see the scale… It seems to me that society will realize this only when some partial demobilization begins and there are many such people”
– Yuriy Dunay
Also, according to Nedzelsky, the festival will premiere a film by Nadya Parfan about the artist Yakov Gnizdovsky.
“We would like as many viewers in Ukraine to learn about Gnizdovsky’s work”
– Mykola Nedzelsky
The 54th Molodist Film Festival this year will run from October 25 to November 2.
About the festival and its history
The first Molodist was held in 1970 as a two-day student review of short works of the Kyiv Institute of Theatre Arts named after Karpenko-Kary. Over the years the event grew into Ukraine’s leading debut cinema festival and earned official FIAPF accreditation, becoming an international platform for young filmmakers. The festival’s general director is Andriy Khalpakhchi.
The festival is held with the support of the State Film Agency of Ukraine and the National Union of Cinematographers of Ukraine.
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