The screening of Shchedryk Against the “Russian World” (dir. Oleksandr Nazarov, 2022, UA, 80') is part of the open program of the East Doc Platform 2023 and will take place in Conference Hall (5th floor) in The French Institute in Prague. The film is produced by Ukrainian Public Television UA:PBC and it will be presented by producer Lukian Halkin, executive producer at SUSPILNE KULTURA.
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Russia’s attempts to conquer and take over Ukraine haven’t started with this war - they date back to hundreds years ago. This film tells a story from the beginning of the 20th century, the period of national liberation struggle in Ukraine after the collapse of the Russian Empire. The Christmas Carol, known all over the world today, was brought to Europe in 1918-1924 by Oleksandr Koshyts’ choral chapel during their triumphant world tour that was an act of cultural diplomacy by the Ukrainian People’s Republic. The film combines two storylines. The first one demonstrates the aspiration of Ukraine to justice and independence, to its proper place on the European map. The second one shows the aspiration of Russia to destroy, deny, or appropriate everything. “The same people and the same culture” is a false manipulative narrative which was used by Russia more than 100 years ago and which stays unchanged till today.