Veselka: The Rainbow on the Corner at the Center of the World

As a 30 resident of NYC, who clubbed in the East Village in the good old days, Veselka was an infamous NYC institution that everyone knew for the 24/7. Before social media, before the Internet, and before mobile phones, it was a place that people connected, socialized, ate Re, drank, and lived.

There's no way possible the producers could have ever imagined how poignant and important this documentary is, given just this past week in politics.

I might have initially given it seven stars. There's a much deeper moment in history going on here, especially when put side-to-side to current affairs. For those of you who don't know the legacy, or lived in NYC, I think the story couldn't be more relevant to each and every one of us, on levels were about to understand. The historical parallels, the absolute honesty to the story, and moreover a reminder that empathy and humanity must prevail . . . .It just has to.

This Ukrainian restaurant has been in the family for generations. It started off as a candy store - and then expanded to be the restaurant that it is now. It evolved with the constantly expanding night life of New York City.

We get to view the owners and the people working in the restaurant - and also to see some of the wonderful food.

We experience the anguish and the agony they have all undergone since the Russian invasion of their country. Many are worried about their family members. One worker is re-united with his mother, who came to be with him in New York. It's a touching and warm story of those who work in this restaurant.

Honestly, this film had me at Veselka, the delicious east village staple that's been around for many years but what I didn't expect was how moving the story turned out to be in relation to the war in the Ukraine. Like all great documentaries and movies in general, the film took me on an emotional journey into the humanity of its' real life characters who deal with the unfolding war over the course of a year.

Ultimately, this is a film about family and the filmmaker's empathy and respect for its' subjects and the cinema verite approach leads to truly poignant moments on screen that will take you from tears to warm laughter. This is the stuff of life and the kind of documentary filmmaking we should all embrace.

I believe that all Americans should know the story of Veselka, especially American men who feel lost.

The men of the Veselka family are immigrants and American born who know the existential terror of tyranny or are terrorized for the people of Ukraine. They are bonded to protect their families and freedom by their courage, compassion, love and hard work. I believe that this beautiful film also speaks to American men in search of their own meaning and power within.

A victory for Ukraine will be a victory for America.

Thank you for bringing the lives of the gentle and strong Veselka family to us.

Cathy Zadoretzky.

This is such an incredible and moving movie that shows not only the ins and outs of a locally loved restaurant, but of a family that truly sticks together during tough times. This movie shows you just how hard the war has hit Ukrainians and how they have banded together to help one another. You will see some of the harsh realities but you will also experience the powerful love they all share and how they overcome such terrible circumstances. The owners of Veselka are some truly wonderful people and will have you marveling at their generosity and tenacity. A remarkable piece that I cannot recommend enough!