This year, the number of domestic films at the box office promises to reach its record high for the entire period of Independence. In six months, 16 of our feature films have already been released. And by the end of 2015, their number may reach 21.
Despite the significant decline in film production in Ukraine, our film premieres continue to be released regularly. The reason is in the past, more prolific years of domestic cinematography. Quantity even gradually began to turn into quality.
The commercial successes of the films “The Battle of Sevastopol” and “Everything is Burning” are encouraging, which returned the funds invested in them. And the films “Stronger than Guns”, “Volunteers of God’s Couple”, “OE. 20 LIVE IN KYIV” and others, proved that our audience is interested in documentaries on wide screens. Of the 16 domestic premieres, six are documentaries.
Of course, most domestic premieres simply failed in theaters. Some producers are even embarrassed to publish their box office results. However, the process of forming a viewing audience that would appreciate our cinema is a long one. And the conclusions that Ukrainian films are not yet able to compete with traditional films from more developed film countries are premature.
One of the positive trends is the differentiation of genres of Ukrainian cinema. Finally, our musicals and children’s films began to appear regularly in cinemas. And if their quantity has not yet grown into quality, then the situation with the most popular genre in Ukraine – drama – is much better. Such films usually already have a number of prestigious awards under their belt.
For example, the film “Brothers. The Last Confession” finally promises to appear in cinemas in September. It has already been noted at several authoritative film forums, and criticism elevates the film to one of the strongest in the years of independence.
The film “Flight of the Golden Fly” will try to awaken the comedy genre in our cinema after many years of sleep. It promises to be released in wide release at the end of August.
Filmmakers are increasingly involved in the search for a national hero, which was talked about for so long during the years of Independence. A documentary portrait of the famous Russian rock band, “Elzy’s Ocean. Backstage,” is due to be released in the fall. In our century, dedicating a film to one person or another is more important for the image than erecting a monument. Well, the picture can become a significant argument for the phrase “living classics” to be addressed to “Oceans…”.
And these are just the largest domestic film premieres this year. So see you in cinemas!
(pictured: Beuys Acorns, Ackroyd & Harvey, 2007)