The Spirit of Freedom – short films from top Ukrainian filmmakers in Vilnius

Pasaka Cinema Boutique in collaboration with Kyiv International Short Film Festival (KISFF) presents a collection of short films from top Ukrainian filmmakers.

“The Spirit of Freedom” is a fundraiser event to support Ukraine. It will take place on June 22, 18:30, at Paupio Pasaka Cinema Boutique (Paupio g.26, Vilnius). Entrance by registration.

“Almost 4 months ago Russia started a full-scale war against Ukraine. There is no single Ukrainian who hasn’t been affected by the war. Russians kill civilians, rape children, and destroy infrastructure every single moment and the whole world is witnessing it. With the initiative “The Spirit of Freedom” which is a selection of short films from top Ukrainian filmmakers specially prepared by the Kyiv International Short Film Festival team, we would like, on the one hand, to promote Ukrainian culture, which was in the shadow for many years, and, on the other hand, also to fundraise money to support Ukraine and bring it closer to victory”, – Olga Kuchmagra, cultural project manager, organizer.

There are five Ukrainian short films that have been specially curated by KISFF:

• “Unavailable”, directed by Nikon Romanchenko is a drama about a woman who works at a pastry shop while waiting to hear from her son who is in the war zone and out of communication
• “Me and Mariupol” directed by Piotr Armianovski is a documentary about a man who first saw the sea in Mariupol. He revisits the city twenty years later and speaks of how enchanting he finds it
• “Sensiz (Without You)” directed by Nariman Aliev is a story of two brothers. On the road to a birthday party in a remote place, their car breaks down, and they decide to go the rest of the way on foot
• “Bullmastiff” directed by Anastasіia Bukovska is the story of a lonely war veteran who accidentally meets a lost dog who helps him rekindle a sense of joy
• “Deep Love”, directed by Mykyta Lyskov is an animation set in the city of Dnipro. Partly a documentary, through the prism of absurdity and black humour, the film tells the story of a big city during historical changes and de-communisation

*The films will be shown in Ukrainian with English subtitles.