Myths
Vitalij a Olga, dva běloruští teenageři, žijí ve vesnici nedaleko Černobylu. Nebyli svědky katastrofy, ale vyrůstali v zakázané zóně. Vitalij sní o tom že se odstěhuje, zatímco Olga si to nedovede představit.
I Made a Mistake Coming Here
It is the summer of 2020 in Belarus, protests against the regime have been ongoing and violently repressed. Miles away, in Turkey, countless ads in Turkish, Kurdish and Farsi have appeared on social media and billboards, promoting Belarus as the easy gate to Europe to the thousands of refugees stuck in the camps. Far from a philanthropic desire, the Belarusian manoeuvre is pure cynicism: to play on Europe’s greatest xenophobic fear, in order to take revenge for the restrictions imposed on Belarus.
For weeks, refugees disembark at Minsk airport, but like A. and his family, they are slowly faced with the reality of the large-scale humanitarian scam led by Lukashenko.
A., 47, is a former baker from Mosoul. With his wife and their three children, they have been in Minsk for a few months now. The older, 19, spends her time on social media following her favourite influencers and texting with her childhood friends. Her younger brother, 16, wishes to become a game designer and the youngest, 6, has an autistic disorder and looks at the world with intense curiosity.
They have been trying for many years now to reach Europe and are now stuck in Belarus, and wish to try and cross the border again. As A.’s mother passes away, he has to come to terms with never being able to honor her grave. Meanwhile political repression starts to make things more difficult for volunteers. Volunteers, their friend, have to flee to Lithuania leaving their family. Kseniya, the director, exiled in Poland, wants to go to Mosoul to help him heal his wounds. When A. manages to get an interview with foreign officials, uncertainty remains: will he be able to cross the border?
For weeks, refugees disembark at Minsk airport, but like A. and his family, they are slowly faced with the reality of the large-scale humanitarian scam led by Lukashenko.
A., 47, is a former baker from Mosoul. With his wife and their three children, they have been in Minsk for a few months now. The older, 19, spends her time on social media following her favourite influencers and texting with her childhood friends. Her younger brother, 16, wishes to become a game designer and the youngest, 6, has an autistic disorder and looks at the world with intense curiosity.
They have been trying for many years now to reach Europe and are now stuck in Belarus, and wish to try and cross the border again. As A.’s mother passes away, he has to come to terms with never being able to honor her grave. Meanwhile political repression starts to make things more difficult for volunteers. Volunteers, their friend, have to flee to Lithuania leaving their family. Kseniya, the director, exiled in Poland, wants to go to Mosoul to help him heal his wounds. When A. manages to get an interview with foreign officials, uncertainty remains: will he be able to cross the border?
Queens of Joy
The film Queens of Joy opens in February 2022, set against the backdrop of the war in Kyiv, Ukraine. The city is under invasion, and three main characters, Oleksandr (aka Marlen Scandal), Monroe, and Aura, choose to stay, driven by a common intention to make a positive impact during these challenging times.
Oleksandr leads a double life as a compassionate individual and the confident drag queen Marlen Scandal, raising questions about the price of strength and bringing joy to others. Despite the war, Oleksandr continues to perform drag shows, offering solace to those seeking shelter during rocket attacks.
Monroe, a renowned TV host and influencer, embarks on a journey of self-acceptance and embracing her transgender identity in the midst of the war. Aura, a soldier in the Ukrainian army, discovers his inner self as AURA, embracing his true identity.
The film explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the power of art in the LGBTQ+ community during wartime. It highlights the resilience and strength of individuals in the face of adversity, as they strive to find their place in a changing society and hope for a better future.
Queens of Joy is a moving story of three drag queens courage, commitment to freedom, and their choice to stay in Ukraine during the war.
Oleksandr leads a double life as a compassionate individual and the confident drag queen Marlen Scandal, raising questions about the price of strength and bringing joy to others. Despite the war, Oleksandr continues to perform drag shows, offering solace to those seeking shelter during rocket attacks.
Monroe, a renowned TV host and influencer, embarks on a journey of self-acceptance and embracing her transgender identity in the midst of the war. Aura, a soldier in the Ukrainian army, discovers his inner self as AURA, embracing his true identity.
The film explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the power of art in the LGBTQ+ community during wartime. It highlights the resilience and strength of individuals in the face of adversity, as they strive to find their place in a changing society and hope for a better future.
Queens of Joy is a moving story of three drag queens courage, commitment to freedom, and their choice to stay in Ukraine during the war.