Dovbush

Spectacular. Important. Deep. This film about a legend gives the feel of a legend. Stunning (!) cinematography, reflecting the pristine nature of the Ukrainian Carpathian mountains, historically accurate reproduction of the early 18th century life and costumes, the living language... Extremely convincing acting, couldn't imagine these roles being played by someone else, or characters looking any different. The film manages to render the spirit of convincing mass scenes of combat (therefore age limit 16+), unimaginable stunts with horses and carriages - features of an action film - and at the same time, unlike many action films, it is thought-provoking, has a deep meaning underneath it all. The protagonist - Oleksa Dovbush (could be compared to England's Robin Hood) - and his brother. What is the meaning of being a fighter? Do you want to liberate your people? Do you want glory? Or love? Would you choose personal well-being over your people's? On top of all, some political intrigue, some betrayals, deaths, big and small victories... The film is fast-paced, with flashbacks, twists and turns of the plot, but you don't think about the pace, you just live there and want to stay there. Every scene (if you think about it) seems to be extremely well thought out, titanic work. Based on numerous legends, as well as historical records, the film is the director's version of the hero's life. Being historically accurate in many ways, the film, at the same time, creates the atmosphere of being close to a legend. It's not glum, it's inspirational, and makes you want to watch it again (and again).

Dovbush is a technically competent film that impresses visually, especially with its mountain scenes. Despite a relatively low budget (by international standards), it manages to blend legends and myths about Oleksa Dovbush into an entertaining package. However, this blend is where the film stumbles, presenting a loosely connected mix of random retellings.

Apparently realizing the story lacked cohesion, the filmmakers chose to inject Pirates of the Caribbean-esque vibes, quirky humor, and intense action. This artistic decision makes for easy viewing if you're not too concerned with character motivation, coherence, or traditional script structure. The "final revenge battle" occurs prematurely, leaving the film without a strong climax.

Despite its flaws, Dovbush wasn't a bad film. As a Ukrainian, I was pleasantly surprised by my compatriots' ability to deliver a reasonably competent production. It wasn't as politically charged as I expected, though some character depictions might still ruffle feathers (despite the creators' attempts to distance themselves from controversy in the intro credits).

Should non-Ukrainians watch it? Possibly. Will they be sufficiently entertained? Probably not. While the film does a good job playing with Carpathian legends and myths, the lack of a comprehensive storyline significantly undermines its overall impact.

Stunning direction, breathtaking cinematography, a vivid journey through history and time this film delivers suspense, beauty, and intrigue in equal measure. The colors are rich, the set design and costumes are exquisite, the music is enchanting, and the story is thoroughly engaging.

This was my first Ukrainian film, and I was genuinely impressed by the level of artistry and creativity on display. I will certainly be exploring more Ukrainian cinema in the future.

The characters were well-developed, and the performances were highly effective and convincing across the board.

The one element that did not sit well with me was the inclusion of certain extreme lines that crossed into territory religiously inappropriate!

I wholeheartedly recommend it to audiences of all tastes.

I will start with caste. Serhiy Strelnikov was a good choice for the role of Oleksa Dovbush, at least he looked natural, but while watching the film I thought that Strelnikov was playing Batman, not Dovbush. I can single out Oleksiy Hnatkovsky in the role of Ivan Dovbush, who turned out to be the best character in the film. Ivan took all the attention when he was with Oleksa.

Cinematography sometimes pleased me, and sometimes disappointed me, especially in the very first battle scene, although this is probably a question for the director. Beautiful views of the Carpathians and beautifully staged battles.

The artists and directors surpassed everyone and everything.

Captivating story from the European history, where a Robin Hood like leader of XVIII Ukrainian rebels stands against the oppressive Polish nobles. First thing why you should watch this film is scenery, it is simply out of this world. The film also conveys folk traditions in Ukrainian Carpathians and is done multi-lingual, which makes it very realistic. There are many side lines to the main plot, which makes the film captivating. The battle scenes are very professional, but I wouldn't recommend them to be seen by kids, as they're quite bloody. Interestingly, the film also shows Dovbush meeting Baal Shem Tov, a founder of Hassidic Judaism, though it's not explicitly mentioned in the film. Overall impression very good, much recommended!