“Ivan Sila” is a Ukrainian film for children, created by director Viktor Andrienko. It is an adaptation of the book by Oleksandr Gavrosh “The Incredible Adventures of Ivan Sila, the Strongest Man in the World”, published in 2009.
This film tells the amazing story of Ivan Fircak, who was born in June 1899 in the village of Bilky in Transcarpathia. At the age of 18, he became a circus artist and traveled the world, visiting 64 countries. He won the title of champion of Czechoslovakia in weightlifting and wrestling, and also became the European champion in bodybuilding. His nickname — Ivan Sila, or Croton — became a symbol of his incredible strength.
Ivan Fircak won many victories in fights with the strongest wrestlers in the world, and even received a helmet and belt from the British Queen, decorated with gold and diamonds. American publications called him the most powerful man of the 20th century. In 1937, he returned to his homeland, to the height of his fame.
According to some reports, in 1928, Ivan Firtsak was recognized as the strongest man on the planet. Some of his physical achievements still remain unsurpassed. For example, he defeated a bull in a Spanish bullfight, lifting it with his bare hands and carrying it to a restaurant. He could also move an entire wooden house.
Ivan Sila did not go abroad, despite his popularity, but remained to live in his native village with his family, even under the Soviet regime.
Director: Viktor Andrienko
Producer: Volodymyr Filippov
Screenwriter: Igor Pysmennyi
Director of photography: Oleksandr Kryshtalovych
Production designer: Igor Filippov
Composer: Igor Stetsyuk
Sound designer: Oleg Kulchytskyi
Editor: Viktor Malyarenko
Starring: Dmytro Khaladzhi, Vasyl Virastyuk, Viktor Andrienko, Olga Sumska, Igor Pysmennyi, Vyacheslav Gindin, Ivanna Sakhno.
The film was shot by Insightmedia with a budget of UAH 15,631,800, of which UAH 15,514,800 was state financial support. The film was released in wide Ukrainian distribution on October 3, 2013.