Chomu ya zhyvyy

This film takes viewers on a captivating journey through the lives of villagers near Mariupol during WW2. It expertly blends various emotions - laughter, empathy, joy, and sorrow - along with elements of comedy and tragedy. The movie artfully intertwines different aspects of human existence, showcasing social and interpersonal relationships.

Starting with lighthearted comedy, the film gradually delves deeper, immersing us in the harsh reality of wartime. Through the depiction of civilian struggles, it beautifully conveys the importance of upholding human values despite challenging circumstances.

For a bizarre reason, although this masterpiece was set before 2022 russian invasion of Ukraine and meant to give us a lesson from history, it predicted the repeat of history in Mariupol of 2022. Kudos to director Villen Novak for his exceptional work in delivering this meaningful and relevant cinematic experience.

At first this might seem like one of the many drama movies about the WWII, however this piece of art truly managed to beautifully convey a tragic story of many Ukrainians who suffered under German and Soviet occupation along with the story of love and hate and is, if I recall correctly, based on a real story. We decided to watch it together with the whole family and ended up being deeply touched, to the point that we cried several times. The film director did an amazing job and the actors felt extremely natural. Maybe the movie could have been a little shorter and more tense, but who am I to judge. I definitely recommend it to everyone who enjoys quality drama movies.