The Ukrainian epic SLOVO HOUSE: UNFINISHED NOVEL is the Closing Film at the 16th Annual I Will Tell International Film Festival with a Peace Gala at the Prince Charles Cinema on 16th July, 2022.
The film is directed by Taras Tomenko and depicts an array of cultural figures living in “Slovo House,” a haven for artists and writers in 1920s Ukraine that soon turned into a prison under a Soviet regime. Based on true events, the film explores the relationship between authority, power, and creativity, revealing the remarkable story of the Slovo House residents and their untoward fate.
Commenting on his film, the multi-award winning director Taras Tomenko states:
“The Ukrainian issue remains as relevant now as it was a hundred years ago. At the beginning of the 20th century, the empire changed its name from the Russian Empire to the USSR but it did not change its colonial policy or archaic world view and continued to treat Ukrainians as a nation that did not deserve its culture and science.
Back then the capital city was destroyed physically – by shooting, and morally – by breaking. Now Russian troops have come once again try to destroy Ukraine.”
Dr. Olesya Khromeychuk, Director of the Ukrainian Institute stated:
“Ukraine’s cinema has seen an unprecedented revival over the last few years. Now that the spotlight is on Ukraine because of Russia’s imperialist war that is aiming to destroy not only the state but also Ukrainian cultural heritage, it is time for the world to explore the daring, innovative, and exciting cinema that tells of Ukraine’s complex past, and helps shape a vision of its future.”
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the Filmmakers and representatives from the Ukraine, including the Ukrainian army, Ukrainian Embassy and the Ukrainian Institute.
And while all eyes are on Ukraine, millions of others are on the brink of disaster, therefore, the Festival has included panelists from other countries with under-reported humanitarian crises, to take part in this important global conversation. I Will Tell International Film Festival is dedicated to providing a platform for voices that have gone unheard.
Festival Founder and Director, Jenny Lee, noted:
“This film is significant because Ukrainians are engaged in telling their story for themselves. We stand with Ukraine, but we cannot support the fight for freedom, if we do not also use our voices and our platform to speak up for the millions of dispossessed people around the world whose plight have been too easily ignored for too long.”
I Will Tell International Film Festival has been taking place between 7th July and 16th July. SLOVO HOUSE: UNFINISHED NOVEL will close out the festival at the Prince Charles Cinema.
For tickets, please go to www.princecharlescinema.com
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